With all the focus now on the Naples Preliminary Regatta; the ultimate goal remains the 2027 regatta and the fight for the grandest trophy in international sport – the America’s Cup. This morning, just beside the Official Race Village, representatives from the America’s Cup Partnership plus government and local institutions attended the countdown clock launch, highlighting the collaborative teamwork achieved so far.
Just steps away from the Race Village – now almost complete – on the Lungomare Caracciolo waterfront, the countdown clock was activated to mark the time remaining until the start of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup next May. Preparations for the Preliminary Regatta are in full swing, yet it is important to remember that this event also serves as a test run for the main event taking place in a few months—specifically, in 241 days, according to the countdown!
The button to activate the large countdown clock was pressed by the Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi; the leadership of Sport e Salute—President Marco Mezzaroma and CEO Guido Nepi Molineris; the Mayor of Naples, Gaetano Manfredi; the President of the Campania Region, Roberto Fico; and, representing the America’s Cup Partnership, CEO Marzio Perrelli and Chairman Grant Dalton.
Speaking on the sidelines of the launch ceremony, Minister Abodi stated: “We are accustomed to the challenges of time. Every major sporting event has demonstrated the respect we have for time. The real challenge lies ahead. What remains will be measured objectively and will involve the cultural growth of the cities, as well as job creation; the development we envision concerns the maritime economy and applied technology—choices that primarily affect young people. This America’s Cup is focused above all on them.”
As Diego Nepi Molineris explained: “This clock counts down to the day the races begin. The countdown structure depicts two sails meeting at a pivotal moment: a tack. When tacking, you change – you alter your trajectory – and that is our goal: to tack in order to catch more wind in our sails and improve, and to generate the drive and strength to keep doing better. That yellow sphere is the mark, representing the goal we must reach. Today, marking the time means showing everyone that, day by day, we are leaving something wonderful for the local area.”
Regarding the countdown, Marzio Perrelli observed: “We are actually already halfway there. We have been working on this for a year, and now the most important, and most enjoyable, year begins; the year we move to this city and become citizens of Naples. With each passing day, we feel more and more Neapolitan.”
President Roberto Fico commented: “The countdown has begun; today is a great day, the result of significant work carried out by the institutions.” This serves as a dress rehearsal—not only from a tourism perspective but also for the business ecosystem and the local enterprises that embody the region’s identity and can drive its development. The goal is to ensure the event engages everyone, from schoolchildren and sailors to small sports associations. Efforts are being made across the board to enable broad participation and ensure that everyone benefits from the event.
For Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, the start of the countdown offers a chance to reflect on the value of time, viewing it not merely as a daily reminder to prepare for a major event, but as something more significant: “Time is a vital asset, and we are striving to align Naples with the present and the future.”
