Tourism and the environment

Sailing to defend the sea: agreement between Luna Rossa and Unesco

A collaboration aimed at spreading ocean conservation messages to the international audience of the 37th America's Cup

by Davide Madeddu

9 June 2024

2' min read

Key points

Interest in the culture of the oceans
The educational revolution
Between sea protection and future appointments

2' min read

Sailing to defend the sea. Or rather, to promote "ocean education" and culture for the protection of the marine environment. This is the objective that animates the collaboration, which has just started, between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and Unesco, aimed at spreading ocean protection messages to the international audience of the 37th America's Cup. Precisely for this reason, the logos of Unesco and Sea Beyond will be present on Luna Rossa's sails for the entire duration of the competition.

The collaboration was announced on the opening day of the Ocean Literacy World Conference (held in Venice on 7 and 8 June), organised by Unesco and the Prada Group as part of the Sea Beyond educational programme, a project launched in 2019 to promote ocean education to the younger generation.

The interest in ocean culture

At the origin of the agreement between Unesco and the Prada Group is what the promoters have described as "a shared interest in the culture of the oceans", an element that characterises the Sea Beyond programme, which over the years has supported educational activities, as well as scientific research and humanitarian projects "both related to the protection of the sea".

In the front row to support the project is Luna Rossa's skipper and Team Director Max Sirena: "I am deeply proud to start this collaboration. Knowing that our team and our boat have been chosen to spread ocean education and protection of the marine environment globally alongside Unesco is a great honour and we will strive to be worthy of it".

The educational revolution

The agreement is seen as a real revolution in environmental protection education and respect for the marine environment.

"Through Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli," says Audrey Azoulay, Unesco's Director General, "it is the protection of the ocean that participates in the America's Cup. It is also a wonderful opportunity to strengthen the partnership between Unesco and the Prada Group for ocean education".

This is all part of a long-term project by Unesco, which through sailing, has focused on supporting and observing the ocean, also involving sailors from the Barcelona World Race, the Ocean Race and the Vendée Globe over the years.

Between sea protection and future appointments

"Knowing that Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli has been recognised by Unesco as an ambassador for the protection of the sea," points out Lorenzo Bertelli, Executive Director of the Prada Group and Patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance, "is a source of great pride for all of us. As Patron of the Ocean Decade Alliance, I am personally committed to launching this synergy that will help us spread knowledge and share our love of the sea".

Luna Rossa will again represent the Circolo della Vela Sicilia yacht club in the challenge to the 37th edition of the America's Cup to be held in Barcelona, Spain, in September and October 2024.