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The Italian team kept the America's Cup open for a long time, but ended up losing
Photo:
Chris Cameron / AP
In fact, Patrizio Bertelli has long known how to successfully contest the America's Cup.
The secret, said the Italian multi-billionaire and head of the luxury brand Prada even before the races, had been revealed to him by the two-time New Zealand winner Sir Peter Blake: "Participate in the cup until you win."
Bertelli's personal cup record is now already similar to that of the historically unsuccessful British tea magnate Sir Thomas Lipton.
At the beginning of the 20th century, it failed five times to bring the Cup back to Europe.
Perhaps it is because of these prospects that Bertelli hardly ever smiles.
Because although his team Luna Rossa kept up well this year, it was also without a win for the fifth time.
The team even let the compatriots who were cheering in their distant homeland hope for a sensation with the tie up to the seventh race.
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Patrizio Bertolli is more likely not to turn his back on sailing
Photo:
STEFANO RELLANDINI / REUTERS
Bertelli, who probably spent the nights in front of the screen because of the strict New Zealand quarantine regulations, has never been so close to victory.
But later the New Zealanders lived up to their role as favorites.
They sailed faster, maneuvered better and on the fourth day they got their yacht back into flight mode more quickly, even though there was only a breath of breeze.
The good start of the Italians around the two helmsmen Jimmy Spithill and Francesco Bruni was not enough.
Spending millions on the sailing campaign
In the final accounts, the result of 3-7 now looks like a debacle, but Bertelli has seen worse.
When Luna Rossa first participated in 2000 - also ahead of Auckland - it was 0: 5.
The campaign at that time already cost Bertelli 50 million dollars.
The official budget is now 95 million euros, and estimates suggest that the billionaire has put three to four times as much money into this year's race.
After all: the perseverance of the tea magnate Lipton made his brand well-known in America at the time, and the investment was in a way worth it.
However, it can be doubted that Bertelli understands the cup superficially as an advertising measure.
That comes from his private pleasure alone.
Because in addition to the cup spectacle, the entrepreneur has two yachts in the twelve-meter class.
On the »Kookaburra II«, which was used in preliminary rounds for the Cup in the 1980s, he occasionally still steers himself.
Bertelli should also book the six days of racing in New Zealand's Hauraki Golf as a worthwhile investment.
The current team seems to be worth another try to the billionaire after the strong performance.
He was sure that his boss would run again, said helmsman Bruni just minutes after the defeat.
One of the richest men in Italy
And there will probably not be a lack of funds for a new start in the future either.
The fashion Tsar's fortune is estimated by Forbes magazine at 5.2 billion dollars (around 4.4 billion euros), and Bertelli is one of the richest men in Italy.
The fact that his previous attempts have already cost him huge sums does not seem to affect his commitment.
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Bertelli's Luna Rossa remained without a win in the fifth participation
Photo: Fiona Goodall / Getty Images
Bertelli is too dogged, whether sporty or professional.
According to legend, the former leather manufacturer from Tuscany copied the designs of Prada so well that the granddaughter of the company founder noticed him and commissioned him to manufacture her design pieces.
Bertelli is now married to Miuccia Prada and they have two sons.
She continues to design, he runs the business - sometimes not very squeamishly.
With Jil Sander, he is said to have struggled violently once.
And the beloved sailing sport was already making him white-hot.
Because he was against short-term changes to the rules for the America's Cup 2017, Bertelli withdrew from the competition despite ongoing preparations.
At times, it wasn't just his look that was grim.
That should change if it really works out with a win.
Bertelli would then be "the happiest person in the world," said team boss Max Sirena before this year's event.
And because Bertelli knows the secret behind the success at the America's Cup, he will think: Then stop next time.
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