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SHOWS: AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND (OCTOBER 20, 2020) (AMERICA'S CUP MEDIA - ACCESS ALL)

1. LUNA ROSSA ON DOCK

2. PEOPLE WORKING ON BOAT

3. LUNA ROSSA

4. LUNA ROSSA SIGN

5. LUNA ROSSA TEAM POSING WITH BOAT

6. (SOUNDBITE) (English) JAMES SPITHILL, LUNA ROSSA CREW, SAYING:

" I can't wait to face the other teams in December. I mean man it's been two years of just wanting to get out there and race. We've all been going through a crisis really in the world but it's so great to see some sport starting to happen again, seeing people excited and passionate.

"We've got a lot of support from Italy, and really from round the world actually, there's so much support for Luna Rossa and we want to do everyone proud. We want to get out there and I can tell you all the team here is ready to go."

7. FLAGS ON BOAT

8. BOAT BEING BLESSED AND LAUNCHED

9. TEAM APPLAUD ON DOCK

10. BOAT BEING LOWERED INTO THE WATER

11. PEOPLE WATCHING

12. BOAT IN WATER

STORY: The America's Cup just got "real" for the Italian challengers hoping to face holders Team New Zealand next year as Luna Rossa launched their second-generation AC75 yacht in Auckland on Tuesday (October 20).

The launch came just days after American Magic and British challenger INEOS Team UK started trials with their second-generation boats, with the Americans narrowly avoiding a spectacular capsize.

Team New Zealand are due to launch their second-generation foiling monohull in early November.

Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena said that there had been only a few visible modifications from their first-generation yacht, unlike American Magic and the British challenge, both of whom seemed to have made significant changes to their hulls and keels.

The teams have two months of further trials before a regatta in December also involving Team New Zealand.

The challenger series then runs from Jan. 15 to Feb. 22 next year before the America's Cup match against Team New Zealand begins on March 6.

(Production: Andy Ragg)