Francesco de Angelis

Prada team's boss tells Ed Gorman about how he and the team are going to remain on top

Francesco de Angelis, the skipper of the Prada syndicate for the 2003 America's Cup, used an interesting phrase to describe how he views his own role at the head of Patrizio Bertelli's team.

Responding to the suggestion that Prada might be in danger of getting a little stale - this is after all that team's fifth year in America's Cup preparation and competition without a substantial break - de Angelis said he saw himself trying to stay on the very limits of the game.

Speaking in English in an interview for madforsailing, the Italian skipper said his dream was to continue building and challenging in the sport he loves and to try and, "stay on the edge of the wave." He added that Prada had gained a sense of momentum in the Louis Vuitton Cup which he believes is still with the team now.

Explaining further, he said: "The first challenge was a totally new experience for the sailing team because it was the first time we had sailed in the America's Cup. We had enthusiasm, and the focus and desire and will to work and the opportunity to work. Of course we kept going at the end of the Cup, so basically this is the second year of the new campaign but the fifth year in a row for the team.

"On the one hand this gives us the opportunity to do different things compared to the past and to focus on different issues. On the other hand, not having a break takes a lot of effect. I think it's an issue for the team to find a target every day and to be able to find the same drive every day because that's very important."

De Angelis added that while there are what he called "many obstacles on the road" to further success, the syndicate is progressing well as it continues its testing and training at the Italian resort of Punta Ala. "It's an interesting phase because I think all the teams at this time are trying to get all the information they may need for their new projects," he said. "So everybody is focussing on the designs for the boats and the testing and the technical side," he added.

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