Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Sea-Guard: performance in every detail

Increasingly hi-tech and fast America’s Cup vessels expose the crews to risks that increase at exactly the same rate. You need protection to sail AC75-class yachts safely. The Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew turned to Dainese to create a jacket developed specifically for the most extreme regattas in the world, paying attention to the smallest detail. 

The first protector for sailing 

Sea-Guard is the name of the new garment, an innovative protector designed specifically to be worn on the yachts of the America’s Cup. It offers rib, collarbone and back protection. All the protective panels are made of soft material, a solution that offers excellent impact absorption and flexibility, to leave sailors free to move on board unimpeded.

• Also read - Why do America's Cup teams need the maximum protection?

What sets Sea-Guard apart from any other sport protector that Dainese has ever made is its flotation certification, expressly required by the rules of the 36th America's Cup presented by PRADA. To obtain this certification, the Dainese Research and Development department applied special floating pads to the inner side of the protectors. Fine-tuning was then required to limit the bulk and give the garment the right lightness and optimal wearability.

Attention to detail 

Sea-Guard Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli illustrates obsession down to the smallest detail. It is made of Kinetech® fabric, a fine material, winner of almost 100 olympic medals in London and Rio. Elastic, very light and resistant, it’s perfect for guaranteeing safety and giving athletes maximum freedom of movement in all situations. The back protection, combined with floating pads, extends to the coccyx, protecting the lumbar vertebrae. 

• Also read - The making of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Sea-Guard

There is a pocket in the upper back area for holding a hydration pack. Inspiration comes courtesy of MotoGP™ riders’ suits, which hold enough water in the hump to quench their thirst for the entire duration of the race. It’s an innovative but essential solution for maintaining maximum concentration and physical efficiency, both on the track and at sea, especially when competing in particularly demanding weather situations.

Help in every situation 

An oxygen cylinder is stored in a special compartment on the right side, a fundamental aid in emergency situations such as capsizing or falling overboard. The essential kit for each athlete also includes the intercom system, useful for communicating with other team members and with the race director, and a knife for cutting the lines in the most critical circumstances. 

The attention to detail that the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli crew dedicated to Sea-Guard is connected to its purpose. To cope with the extreme conditions that develop at sea, you need the utmost confidence. Having technical support capable of assisting sailors in every situation can really make a difference to a race’s outcome, especially in extreme situations like the America's Cup, with ever greater speed and forces in play.