America's Cup: Luna Rossa confirms intention to enter AC38 - but under a new club.

Roberto Mottola di Amato, President of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, (left) with Max Sirena (CEO of Luna Rossa) at the anouncement of the Challenge by the Naples club © Luna Rossa

Italian Challenger Luna Rossa will contest its seventh America's Cup as the team of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples, a club that is new to the America's Cup.

As entries have not yet opened for the 38th America's Cup, due to the Royal Yacht Squadron's refusal, as Challenger of Record, to sign the Protocol for the event, today's announcement from the team is the first firm indication that the team will be on the start line in Naples in 2027.

The announcement reads:

The Italian challenger will compete in its seventh campaign under the colors of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia of Naples. A heartfelt thank you to the Circolo della Vela Sicilia for the three unforgettable campaigns we shared together.

The historic "Italia," the oldest sailing club in Naples and one of the longest-standing in the Mediterranean, will launch the challenge to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the 38th America’s Cup, representing Luna Rossa.

For the upcoming edition of the Cup, which will be held in the Neapolitan capital in 2027, the Italian challenger has established a partnership with the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia. Founded in 1889, it is considered a true institution in the world of international sailing. This choice reflects the team’s strategic vision, which since its founding in 1997 has never wished to tie itself to a single yacht club, instead promoting rotation among several major institutions across our country.

"For the first time in 176 years of history, the America’s Cup is being held in Italy, in Naples", said Patrizio Bertelli, President of Luna Rossa. "For this reason, after three consecutive editions in collaboration with the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, it felt natural to be represented by a yacht club that, in addition to enjoying an extraordinary international reputation, also has a profound connection with the city. On behalf of the team, I would like to thank the CVS, its members, and its President Agostino Randazzo for the support and affection with which they have accompanied us over these years. Together we have experienced extraordinary moments, crowned by the unforgettable victories in the 2021 PRADA Cup in Auckland and the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona. We are certain that CVS will be a protagonist of other important challenges, and we wish them every success in their future endeavors".

"I would like to thank Patrizio Bertelli, Max Sirena and the entire team for these intense fourteen years of shared challenges and emotions", commented Agostino Randazzo, President of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia. "Seeing the burgee of the Circolo della Vela Sicilia flying on Luna Rossa has been a source of great pride and emotion for me and for all our members. It has truly been a privilege to stand alongside such an extraordinary team as Luna Rossa, capable of bringing Italy to the highest international levels in sailing. We will continue to support the Italian yacht with the same passion as always, and we wish our friends at the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia all the best in accompanying her toward ever greater successes".

Speaking about the new partnership, Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa, said: "We are pleased to have the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia at our side for the 38th America’s Cup. A long-standing cradle of young talent and the organizer of the famous Regata dei Tre Golfi, we are honored to have its burgee flying aboard Luna Rossa. The sporting heritage of the "Italia", combined with a profound culture of the sea and sailing, represents an added value for our team as we prepare to race in the waters of the Gulf of Naples".

Roberto Mottola di Amato, President of the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia, commented: "We are deeply honored and excited to stand alongside Luna Rossa in this new adventure that will bring the 38th America’s Cup to our Gulf. The bond between the Circolo del Remo e della Vela Italia and the city of Naples is long-standing and unbreakable, dating back to 1889—just like our mission to promote Italian sailing excellence around the world.

"Seeing our burgee aboard such an iconic boat fills us with great pride and responsibility. We are extremely honored to represent, alongside the Luna Rossa team, our Club "Italia" and our Country in the first-ever America’s Cup held in Italy and Naples. This collaboration is also a unique opportunity to inspire our young Cadets and Athletes, who will be able to experience up close the thrill and commitment of a challenge at the highest level, through their own Club, fueling their passion and their dreams. We thank Luna Rossa for their trust, which acknowledges the dedication of our many Members who, over the years, have worked hard to achieve prestigious results—and we will continue to commit ourselves with the same passion to support this extraordinary sporting challenge. A heartfelt thanks also goes to the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, twinned with our Club, and to its President Agostino Randazzo, a long-time friend. We are proud to take your place and will do our utmost to work as well as you have done, with dedication and success, over these past years and during so many America’s Cup campaigns alongside Luna Rossa".