On the eve of the start of the second Preliminary Regatta in Naples, a glittering reception in the early evening was held onboard the Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian training vessel that bestrides the world as a wonderful ambassador for both Italy and the Italian Navy that it serves.
The America’s Cup trophy in its stunning Louis Vuitton travel case was on display for the reception that was attended by the likes of Margherita Porro, the skipper of Luna Rossa’s Women & Youth team in PR2 Naples, and the current holder of the Women’s America’s Cup, Ellie Aldridge, co-helm onboard Cobham-Ultra GB2 in Naples and an Olympic gold medalist plus Jo Aleh from Emirates Team New Zealand – a gold and silver medalist winning Olympian.
Marzio Perrelli, CEO of the America’s Cup Partnership, was onboard the Amerigo Vespucci with the America’s Cup for a second time this year having attended the celebrations in New York for the USA’s 250th annoversary. Mr Perrelli said: “Coming here today, I was thinking that if this Cup could speak, I believe it would tell us that it would be very happy to be on board the Amerigo Vespucci, because the America’s Cup is not only the ultimate expression of technology and modernity applied to the wind, sailing and sport, but it is also a story spanning 175 years. And since the Amerigo Vespucci, if I’m not mistaken, is approaching her 100th anniversary, they will probably have things to say to one another; they understand each other; they will recount tales of magnificent storms at sea, sailing voyages, victories and defeats.”
“This, then, is the link – in my view – between these two entities and the past. However, they are two entities that also look to the future, to tomorrow. This is the cadet school, so this is where the Navy’s future leadership is trained. And the America’s Cup also has the Youth Cup as part of its programme; incidentally, today we announced that it will take place from 2 to 6 June, within the three-month America’s Cup period.”
“So there couldn’t be a better time to bring together the past and the future. And speaking of the future, this one here is the second stage of the Cup today, because this morning we were in Caivano and were able to have the Cup presented to 300 children who were sitting in front, gazing at it in awe. It was a wonderful moment, and I was particularly struck by the beauty of the sports centre that Sport e Salute has been able to restore for the city – and this is precisely the power of sport.”
“So, once again, the America’s Cup and the Vespucci are linked, as I said, in our vision for the future. We are on the eve of the preliminary races. I am delighted that the Amerigo Vespucci is here to bless the race course and the teams. And I hope that next year, too, she will be close to us, so that we can at least reunite two old ladies who, I believe, are very, very fond of one another.”
Captain Nicasio Falica, the 114th commander of the Amerigo Vespucci, welcomed guests onboard that included government representatives: Andrea Abodi, Minister for Sport and Youth, Marco Mezzaroma President of Sport e Salute, Diego Nepi Molineris CEO of Sport e Salute, Luca Andreoli, CEO of Difesa Servizi, Admiral Vincenzo Montanaro, Commander of the Italian Navy’s Logistics Command and Chiara Marciani, Councillor for Youth Policies, Labor and Welfare of the Municipality of Naples.
Captain Falica said: “The Amerigo Vespucci, the longest-serving vessel in the Italian Navy, a training ship par excellence, and, on the other hand, a competition – the world’s oldest international sporting competition. Two entities, the Vespucci and the America’s Cup, which effectively converge into a single dimension, a single world. A world steeped in values that the Ministry of Defence and the Navy embrace and promote, and which are embodied on board the Vespucci.”
“I am referring to values such as healthy competition, team spirit, crew spirit, determination and the spirit of sacrifice that we find both here on board the Vespucci and out at sea. So, on the one hand, tradition; on the other, innovation; but at the centre, the same heart, the same strength: the crews, the crew, the great crew – the men and women who draw their vitality from what we have in common: the sea and our passion for the sea. Men and women who infuse renewed energy, strength and determination into what inspires us day after day: the new challenges that come from the sea, the wind and our passion for sailing.”
Luca Andreoli, the CEO of Difesa Servizi who hosted the evening thanked the Captain and the Admiral for their hospitality as well as warmly greeting the government ministers before adding: “The collaboration between the Amerigo Vespucci and the America’s Cup is one that has developed as the project has progressed, with the Vespucci undertaking its training campaign in North America, as part of this wider project we launched in 2023 – the world tour – which has enjoyed global success and showcased the qualities of ‘Made in Italy’ and what it means to be Italian.”
“And so, when the opportunity arose to bring these two ‘ladies’ – as they have been described so far – together for what was set to be a historic occasion, it was an easy decision to make. We spoke with Minister Abodi and, of course, Minister Crosetto – who is the creator and driving force behind this world tour project – and he fully understood the scope and importance of a collaboration of this kind.”
“So it was straightforward for two institutions and two public bodies – namely Sport e Salute and Difesa Servizi – to find a way to work together. The system brings all this about. I believe it is something the world might envy us for. This ship boasts a gallery of impressive photographs dating back to 1931. You all know that this ship was launched in these very waters, not far from here, at Castellammare di Stabia, in 1931, so in just a few years’ time it will celebrate its first 100 years.”
“And this journey it has undertaken since 2023, sailing round the world and continuing to carry out these vital training campaigns, has given it even greater significance than it has held over the years. I was talking about this display of impressive photographs. This album of memories simply could not be complete without a photograph featuring the America’s Cup. So we were very keen to have it first in New York, and now here in Naples, and I believe that from the union of these two entities – these two great sailing forces – something even greater may emerge.”
“So I wish all the crews every enjoyment on the waters of Naples. I hope the Amerigo Vespucci continues to play a leading role in all the activities that in some way involve and celebrate our country, and I wish everyone, of course, a wonderful America’s Cup. Thank you.”
