Luna Rossa chooses Circolo Italia for the 38th America's Cup in Naples

Patrizio Bertelli and Max Sirena have made an important decision: the historic "Circolo del Relo e della Vela Italia" will be the venue through which Luna Rossa's challenge for the next America's Cup will be presented to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Club in Auckland, the holder of the Trophy, which has been firmly "anchored" in its trophy cabinet at the top of the stairs overlooking the ballroom for years. In the last three editions, the Luna Rossa team has used the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, and in the past the Yacht Club Punta Ala and the Yacht Club Italiano. The choice makes sense, both purely logistical—the club practically overlooks the race course, just steps from Naples' most luxurious hotels, where it's expected the super VIPs who will crowd the stands will be hosted. But more importantly, should the Italian team win (though we shouldn't say that for superstitious reasons), the table would already be set for a next edition, again in the Gulf of Naples. What happens in these cases? There's a locked-in contract in which the team controls all strategic decisions, and the club is a vehicle for the challenge. It's no secret that there's constant friction between, for example, the Auckland Squadron and Team New Zealand, not least the decision to host the races outside of New Zealand. In England, the real challenger isn't the historic Royal Yacht Squadron, but a company created to manage the events, which obviously shares the same name with the addition of Limited. In short, there's a complex world behind these challenges.

The Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia was founded in 1889 and boasts a truly remarkable track record. A fascinating venue that captures all the contradictions of beautiful Naples, combining luxury, internationality, and culture, but also not always legal business. A few decades ago, right in the waters of Castel dell'Ovo, alongside the magnificent international-rated sloops, there were also the blue speedboats used for cigarette smuggling. We don't want to emphasize the illegality, but rather the vibrant and unyielding life of "Italy's most international city," as Luna Rossa president Bertelli has repeatedly described it. He explains: "For the first time in 176 years of history, the America's Cup is being held in Italy, in Naples.

For this reason, after three consecutive editions in collaboration with the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, it seemed natural to be represented by a Yacht Club that has deep ties to the city. On behalf of the team, I would like to thank CVS, its members, and its President, Agostino Randazzo, for the support and affection they have shown us over the years. Together, we have experienced extraordinary moments, crowned by the unforgettable victories of the 2021 Prada Cup in Auckland and the Youth and Women's America's Cups in Barcelona. We are confident that CVS will be a key player in other important challenges, and we wish them every success in their future endeavors.

Agostino Randazzo, president of the Sicilian club, somehow expected it. "Luna Rossa is an Italian team, I'm obviously sorry, but I want to thank Patrizio Bertelli, Max Sirena, and the entire team for these intense fourteen years of shared challenges and emotions, during which we have achieved great results."

Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa, said: "We are delighted to have the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia on our side for the 38th America's Cup. Always a source of young talent and organizer of the famous Regata dei Tre Golfi, we are honored to have its pennant aboard Luna Rossa." Note: this is the first time a team statement has identified Max as CEO.