MAYORAL WELCOME FOR EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND TO THE WATERS OF NAPLES
It was a Mayoral welcome for the America’s Cup Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand on the Gulf of Naples today as the Mayor of Naples, Mr. Gaetano Manfredi, joined the team on the water for their second day of intense two boat AC40 training. Mayor Manfredi experienced firsthand the speed and technical precision that will define the 38th America’s Cup. With the iconic backdrop of Mount Vesuvius and the Castel dell’Ovo, the visit highlighted the foundational partnership between the city and the America’s Cup Defender.
Reflecting on the day, Mayor Manfredi expressed his pride in welcoming the Kiwi squad back to Italian shores. "A warm welcome to the Emirates New Zealand team, Defenders of the 38th America's Cup, which will take place in Naples,” said the Mayor. “They are currently training in the splendid waters of the Gulf of Naples ahead of the Preliminary Regatta. I am sure they will find a welcoming environment, and the city will be a key player in this great international event that makes us so proud. We are preparing as best we can.”
The sentiment was mutual. For Emirates Team New Zealand, the training block in July serves as a critical opportunity to gather race data in the exact conditions expected for the 2027 Match. "The hospitality here is world-class," noted Grant Dalton. "And we were made to feel very welcome today by Mayor Manfredi, it was a pleasure to return the hospitality with him on the team chase boat to watch our training.”
“Returning to Naples reminds us why we chose this city to host the 38th edition of the America's Cup. The energy of the people and the unique amphitheatre of the gulf create an environment that is truly unrivalled. To see all of the kids come down to the R.Y.C.C. Savoia yacht club and engaging with the Mayor, the local media, and the local people again is a real privilege for the team.”
For many in the team, this is their first experience in Naples, but for the more experienced team members they have already felt the excitement and passion of Napoli at event time. Emirates Team New Zealand as a team have previously competed in Naples, engaging with the passionate local fans during the America’s Cup World Series events in 2012 and 2013. Those regattas drew hundreds of thousands of spectators to the waterfront, helping to create the city's reputation as a premier destination for global sailing.
At that event there was a young Nathan Outteridge fresh into the America’s Cup scene as skipper of the Team Korea entry, Chris Draper was helming with Luna Rossa, and Ray Davies was busy as tactician with Emirates Team New Zealand.
The excitement in Naples is only set to escalate. With seven teams expected to compete in the 38th America’s Cup, the intensity of the competition is already being felt with team bases in construction in Bagnoli and sailing teams beginning to hit the water. Before the main event in 2027, the "Road to Naples 2027" will ratchet up another gear with the second Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta, scheduled for September 24–27, 2026. This event will serve as a high-stakes preview of the foiling monohull action that will dominate the Gulf of Naples next year.
The America's Cup trophy on the Naples waterfront during the 2013 America's Cup World Series.
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