One year ahead of the 2027 event, the Italian team trains in the waters of the America’s Cup
First day of sailing today for Luna Rossa in the waters of Naples. The Italian team arrived in the capital of Campania with two AC40s to begin training sessions ahead of the Preliminary Regatta Naples in September (24–27), and today completed its first outing at sea.
«This is a very important moment from a sporting standpoint and one of strong symbolic significance», says Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa. «Sailing for the first time in the waters of Naples with the two AC40s, just under a year before the start of the regattas, represents a milestone for our team. From a technical standpoint, these sessions are essential for getting familiar with the racecourse and rotating the crews in preparation for the preliminary regattas in September. But beyond that, there is also the psychological aspect: the emotion of being in the official venue of the event — which, for the first time, is in Italy — the pleasure of sailing in the Gulf of Naples, and the feeling of experiencing the warmth of this splendid city are indescribable. We are in a very intense phase for the team, working both in Naples with the AC40s and in Cagliari on the preparation and development of the AC75. Today we celebrate a significant achievement, marking an important step forward toward our ultimate goal».
«We are very happy to have started sailing in Naples», says Simone Salvà, one of Luna Rossa’s coaches. «Our goal at this stage is to collect essential data on the weather and sea conditions — the same conditions we will encounter again in a year — and to train the crews in both fleet racing and match racing, maximizing our time on the water. Having two boats, in fact, allows us to sail practically all the time, alternating the hulls during maintenance periods. As for the general weather conditions, the high pressure over the gulf generally brings a lighter sea breeze than in Cagliari; in addition, since this city is an important maritime hub, there is wake generated by passing ships that must be taken into account. For us, all of this is valuable information, not only with a view to the September regattas, but above all to those in 2027».
Underscoring the symbolic value of the day was the meeting with Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, who took the opportunity of Luna Rossa’s arrival in the city to invite Max Sirena and the team to City Hall and give them a warm welcome. «Today marks the beginning of Luna Rossa’s adventure in Naples», said the mayor. «On behalf of our city, we wish the team, Max Sirena, and the Bertelli family the very best of luck. Luna Rossa is the team that represents Italy, and therefore it can count on the full support and cheering of our entire city».
Also present at the meeting in the Sala Giunta of Palazzo San Giacomo was Roberto Mottola di Amato, President of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, who praised Manfredi for his commitment: «Thanks to the mayor, who made all of this possible. Luna Rossa has been in our hearts for thirty years, and now it is even more so».
Max Sirena emphasized the importance of this moment for the entire team: «This is an important day because, for the first time, we will sail in the waters of Naples with the Luna Rossa boats. A new era begins as we move closer to the America’s Cup, and it will be fantastic; Naples will undoubtedly be the added value of this event. We will race under the colors of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, so in a way we are the home team; for this reason, we have a great responsibility, above all that of bringing as many Neapolitans as possible closer to Luna Rossa and to the America’s Cup».
Peter Burling, one of Luna Rossa’s helmsmen added: «We received an extraordinary welcome. We are truly excited to race for the first time in Naples, such a beautiful place. We can’t wait to begin getting to know this venue, and we look ahead with confidence to the year to come».
