After three America’s Cup campaigns Prada has announced that it will not be challenging for the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia in 2009. In a statement the syndicate stated that while human and financial resources are available it was decided that after three campaigns a cycle had come to an end.

Patrizio Bertelli declared “We challenged in three campaigns of the Americ’s Cup and we had ten very intense years. It has been an unforgettable experience, both from a sports and human perspective.” He went on to say “I hope another Italian team will be able to compete in the next edition and to keep Italy at the top of the game in the America’s Cup.”

In 2000 Luna Rossa made it to the America’s Cup final but was defeated 5-0 by Team New Zealand and in 2007 reached the Louis Vuitton final and took two races from the Kiwis.