Suddenly, the harbor fills with the sound of the boats' sirens. From the maxi yachts to the boats moored along the docks, everyone salutes Luna Rossa with a long, sonic tribute that sweeps across the waterfront and accompanies the crowd's explosive applause.
Evening falls, and the waterfront on Via Roma is now a vast river of people. Walking through the crowds gathered at the race village has become extremely difficult: thousands have flocked to the port to witness the America's Cup final ceremony and salute Luna Rossa after their triumph in the Golfo degli Angeli.
Televisions around the world are focused on the sea of Cagliari for the last time. "Do not tread" signs are everywhere along the new waterfront, but no one seems to pay much attention: the green expanses have become enormous improvised stages where tourists and Cagliari residents sit in groups waiting for the party to begin. Some with a beer in hand, some with a glass of wine, some playing cards, some chasing a ball.
I've never seen the pedestrian crossings on Via Roma so crowded: a constant stream of people crosses the port from one side to the other while the sun illuminates the waterfront and the Golfo degli Angeli.
THE STORY OF THE CEREMONY:
7:27 PM – The awards ceremony: Luna Rossa is celebrating
The sun sets on the horizon as the awards ceremony for the Luna Rossa senior team - winners of the 38th Louis Vuitton Preliminary Regatta - takes place on the waterfront of Via Roma, presented by the regional councilor for tourism, Cuccureddu.
Amid applause from the audience and the Luna Rossa team, words from the stage that further inflame the crowd: "Thanks to the people of Cagliari, we've lived here for ten years and will continue to stay here for another ten, twenty."
And again: «We have participated in more than eight America's Cups and the crowd I saw here, from the stage, is unmatched anywhere else in the world».
A passage greeted by a roar throughout the race village, while Via Roma continues to vibrate in celebration.
7:07 PM – The final ceremony begins
"Ciao Cagliari." Thus began the final ceremony of the America's Cup, amidst an immediate roar from the packed waterfront.
From the stage, a series of institutional thanks poured in: the Region of Sardinia, the Municipality of Cagliari, the Italian Navy, the Sardinian Sea Port Authority, the Customs Agency, all the authorities involved, the security forces, and all the port personnel who ensured the event was managed during these intense days.
A special passage was dedicated to the volunteers, greeted by a prolonged applause from the crowd: "Without you, none of this would have been possible."
Then the gaze widens to the city and the international crowd: "And above all, thank you to the city and all the fans who traveled from all over the world to be here and for the incredible support." A special mention goes to the Luna Rossa fans, who immediately spark a general ovation.
The waterfront erupts in a collective roar: flags raised, chants erupting, phones pointed at the stage. Via Roma and the port become one huge audience as Cagliari takes its final embrace of the America's Cup.
"An event," underlined the Regional Tourism Councilor, Franco Cuccureddu, "that exceeded all expectations."
7:00 PM – The party gets into full swing
The party is getting into full swing. The sun begins to set behind the main stage as thousands of people gather ever closer along the waterfront awaiting the final ceremony. Chants, flags, and phones raised toward the sea: Cagliari is enjoying the final moments of an event that for days has transformed the city into an international sailing capital.
6:53 PM – Farewell to Luna Rossa
Suddenly, the harbor fills with the sound of the boats' sirens. From the maxi yachts to the boats moored along the docks, everyone waves in anticipation of Luna Rossa with a long, sonic salute that sweeps across the waterfront and accompanies the crowd's explosive applause.
