Its a common misconception that the Dvs Dill shoe was inspired by the prada america's cup. It was actually inspired by a more obscure prada sport shoe from 2001. The sole units look very close to one another, along with the deco stitch motif in the upper.

You'll notice after seeing the sport shoe that the dills look nothing like the america's cup.. - which is in fact an awesome footwear design and indeed one of the most iconic designer sneakers of all time. Although, that still doesn't justify using it as inspiration for the final M.C. colorway, which is a cool concept (at least there is a story) but terrible in execution. The M.C. has no connection, or even similar design language to the prada shoe for this concept to make sense...
Side note: DVS had some of the best footwear design language in the industry circa 97-98. Sheffey 1, Daewon 1+2, Trooper, Mirage, Navigator, Gavin, Chico 1, Keenan 1-3 - all sick shoes. Almost everything after 1999 was heinous though.