Australian Wool Showcased at The America’s Cup
Woolmark returned as the official technical partner for the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli sailing team for the 37th America’s Cup and its preliminary regattas held from September 2023 through to October last year. The collaboration followed on from the highly successful showcase of Australian wool during the previous America’s Cup.
With a focus on technical performance, and the added benefit of not contributing to microplastic pollution in the world’s oceans, Merino wool is the preferred apparel fibre for Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli.
Woolmark co-developed the sailing team’s Merino wool-rich performance-driven training and racing uniforms. The custom-made kit included Merino wool-rich T-shirts, hoodies, shorts, leggings, a cycling suit, a waterproof jacket and a revolutionary ultralight windbreaker.
AWI CEO John Roberts says that product innovation was a crucial factor when designing the technical kit for the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team.
“With a focus on lightness, elasticity, strength and moisture wicking properties, our internal experts met with the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli product development team armed with a selection of the best commercially available Merino wool fabrics. Where further development was needed, the teams worked together to create unique fabrics destined to deliver the added element,” John said.
The iconic Woolmark logo, owned by Australian woolgrowers, was proudly displayed on the sleave of all the apparel as well as on the sails of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli yachts during training and racing.
“Through Woolmark’s support of the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team at the 36th and 37th America’s Cups in 2021 and 2024, Australian Merino wool has been showcased to millions of potential customers,” John added.
“Furthermore, significant interest has been generated from global apparel brands that have since worked with Woolmark on product development initiatives. It has been a marketing triumph.
Source: AWI