Napoli’s waterfront comes alive as Luna Rossa leads America’s Cup preliminaries
After four days of racing, Italy’s Luna Rossa senior team holds a commanding lead in the preliminary regatta of the 38th America’s Cup, with 51 points from a possible 60. The event, held in the Gulf of Naples from 24 to 27 September 2026, has drawn record crowds and marked a turning point in how Italy stakes its claim on global sailing.
The Race Village, anchored along Lungomare Caracciolo, became the emotional heart of the event. By the final day, 135,000 people had visited the free-access venue, with single-day peaks of 33,000 spectators during Saturday’s races. The atmosphere, described by locals as “electric,” was fueled by open-air viewing platforms, pop-up nautical exhibits, and a floating pontoon—37 metres long, 30 metres wide, and weighing 1,000 tonnes—that became one of the most photographed spots in the city.
A battle of skill, weather, and resilience
The regatta unfolded under turbulent skies. On the opening day, winds dropped below the 5-knot minimum required to keep AC40 yachts foiling, forcing three failed start attempts before the first race could begin after 16:40. Only two of the three scheduled races were completed, setting a tense tone for the weekend.
Saturday brought relief: winds settled between 10 and 18 knots, allowing organizers to run four races—the planned three plus a bonus race to recover lost time. Luna Rossa’s senior crew seized the advantage, winning two of those four races and finishing first in every round they completed.
The biggest drama came from La Roche-Posay Racing Team, the French squad that had nearly missed Saturday’s racing entirely after capsizing on Friday. Their crew worked through the night to repair the damaged AC40—and returned to win two races. In their third attempt, they led by nearly 30 seconds approaching the finish line, only to capsize again, handing a surprise victory to New Zealand’s Youth & Women team.
“It’s not easy to come back after you think your day is over,” said a team member in the post-race interview. “But we didn’t quit. That’s the spirit of this event.”
The Italian team’s edge
Luna Rossa senior, helmed by Peter Burling and Marco Gradoni, showed tactical dominance. Trimmer Maria Giubilei acknowledged “a few errors,” but stressed their focus remains intact: “We learned in Cagliari that nothing is guaranteed here. Naples throws surprises at you—and we’re ready.”
Behind them, Emirates Team New Zealand sits second with 43 points, followed by Alinghi at 38. Italy’s second entry, Luna Rossa Youth & Women, sits fourth with 35 points, still in contention for a spot in the final match race.
The British teams, GB1 and GB2, lag behind in fifth and sixth, while Team USA’s American Racing Challenger remains inconsistent despite early momentum.
City and sea: an inclusive spectacle
Beyond competition, the event became a platform for social inclusion. Through Sport e Salute, seven Italian Olympic champions—including judoka Francesca Lollobrigida, water polo legend Tania Di Mario, and rower Marco Di Costanzo—sailed alongside young people from Naples’ outskirts. The initiative, called “The Sea Is for Everyone,” aimed to break barriers between elite sports and marginalized communities.
A dedicated accessibility project, led by the nonprofit Isolahabile, operated the fully wheel-chair-accessible vessel Lorkinos, giving people with motor disabilities direct front-row views from the water. Over 5,000 students from schools across Campania participated in the “Next Gen 27” education village, learning about sustainable marine tech and design.
Public investment and projected returns
The Italian government spent €6.1 million from Campania’s regional budget on organizing the preliminary regatta, with the Metropolitan City of Naples adding nearly €10 million. These funds built spectator infrastructure, security, and environmental monitoring systems—none of which remain idle after the event.
Larger investments, estimated at €1.7 billion, are underway in the Bagnoli district, where former industrial sites are being transformed into future team bases for the 2027 grand finale. Tourism Ministry projections estimate €690 million in direct economic impact by next July, growing to €1.2 billion over the medium term.
Mayor Gaetano Manfredi estimates the broader regional benefits will reach €1.5 billion, buoyed by 2.2 million tourist arrivals in September alone—with nearly half originating abroad.
Voices from the crowd
While the city celebrated, tensions surfaced. In Bagnoli, activists from the “Rete No America’s Cup” group blocked construction trucks, citing environmental concerns over dredging and prioritizing public funds over urban renewal. Taxi drivers reported delays, higher fuel costs, and disrupted routes, while some residents questioned whether the spectacle distracted from long-standing infrastructure issues.
Yet, for many, the response has been overwhelming. “My son, who never left the neighborhood, asked if he could go to the pontoon. He took a selfie with the AC40. That’s new for us,” said a local shopkeeper near the race village.
The 2026 regatta may have been an appetizer—but Naples is already tasting the main course.
