The news had already leaked out this afternoon , but now it's official : the 38th America's Cup will start from Sardinia.
Confirmation comes from the Sardinia Region's Tourism Councillor, Franco Cuccureddu, who announced on social media that "after months of complex negotiations with the organisers, Team New Zealand, and the Italian government", the department has " signed the agreement to host the first preliminary regatta of the 38th America's Cup ; which will award the title to Naples in July 2027".
"All the details of the event," Cuccureddu specifies, "will be presented at a press conference scheduled for next Friday in Cagliari."
It will therefore be the first time for the Island, with the venue of the regatta expected to be Cagliari , Luna Rossa's base camp.
The World Series, featuring the "Formula One" sailing teams, had already come close to Sardinia twice . The first time was in 2020, but the event was cancelled due to the pandemic. The second time was in 2023: the races were scheduled for October 12-15. But in the spring, everything fell through, sparking controversy between the Region and the New Zealand organizers. And the Cagliari races were moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Now, with the preliminaries, Sardinia will finally have the chance to participate as a protagonist. The second regatta of the preparatory stages is scheduled to take place in Naples.
(Unioneonline)