Naples, the countdown for the Louis Vuitton Cup 2027 has begun

"Having a countdown here, in Piazza Vittoria near the 'broken column' is an idea of ​​what we want to give as an objective, the importance of the sea and access to the sea for Naples. And we do it with a bit of courage: usually the countdown is a cold clock that takes time backwards, in reality this will substantially bring time forward and mark the day on which the first Louis Vuitton Cup regattas will start". These are the words of Diego Nepi Molineris, CEO of Sport e Salute, the implementing body of the America's Cup appointed by the Italian Government, present this morning in Piazza Vittoria in Naples when the official countdown was started with the clock marking the days, hours and minutes remaining until the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup regattas scheduled from 22 May 2027. An installation, explains Nepi, "made of two sails that meet in a important moment of their movement, the turn". "When you turn - he continues - you change a trajectory.

Our goal is to be able to tack taking even more wind into our sails, giving the push and strength to do even better. And then there is the yellow ball, the mark, a goal we have to reach."

Symbolic meaning that also conveys the sense of the work being done trying to leave "something beautiful in the area". "That something - continues the CEO of Sport e Salute - is the possibility of seeing one more child who goes sailing, thanks to forms of associations such as Mascalzone Latino, seeing Nisida and a port with 6 teams which is a wonderful thing, making known the light that exists around this wonderful city and also on Bagnoli. So this important phase of change creates a second chance to go stronger: a second chance at a new life for Bagnoli after decades of abandonment, a second chance for the kids of Nisida and a second chance for all of us who simply want to improve. The America's Cup must be such an objective for everyone."