Cagliari, beautifully decked out for the America's Cup, is resplendent, and despite the ongoing construction sites (and the seagrass at Poetto), it's preparing to showcase itself to the world as an efficient and successful team. Six days to go until the event that will make the capital the center of the world for four days, from Thursday the 21st to Sunday the 24th (the day of the finals).
From Sant'Elia to Su Siccu, from Via Roma to the Manifattura: ten open spaces in the city, a village on Via Roma open from morning until night to experience the protagonists of the preliminary regatta of the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup, a large stage at the Bastione di Saint Remy, where events, concerts, and shows will take place every evening, with Sardinian culture taking center stage. Then there's the Lazzaretto area, the best place to watch the match races. For those who can't find space along the waterfront, there's the option of watching the regattas on the giant screen that will be set up in the coming days. And there's more: reserved VIP areas on Via Roma, and Cristina O, Onassis's mega-luxury yacht, which will be moored on Via Roma and will welcome VIPs and dignitaries. The goal: to create an immersive experience where sport, art, and food and wine dialogue together.
Everything is ready in Cagliari for the America's Cup. "We've finalized the agreement with Sky, and this will help bring global prominence to the capital and Sardinia," says Franco Cuccureddu, the regional councilor for tourism. "We were very keen to organize this event"—negotiations have been ongoing for nearly ten months—"for two reasons: because Italy's first America's Cup challenge began in Sardinia with Azzurra, thanks to the will of the Aga Khan, whom we wish to honor in this way; and secondly, because Italy's challenge today is led by Luna Rossa, which, as is well known, has chosen Cagliari and Sardinia as its base."
Cagliari is approaching the major event after a long trail of controversy, which now seems to be over. "Cagliari is ready," assures Mayor Massimo Zedda. "We've repaired the areas of the city affected by Hurricane Harry," including the Sant'Elia seafront, "and redeveloped several areas. To ensure better traffic flow, the CTM has set up an additional shuttle service that will allow everyone to reach all the venues involved in the event without difficulty. This event," Zedda continues, "aims to be the first for Cagliari that will allow us to focus on international sailing, as a vehicle for promoting sport and tourism."
And regarding the controversy surrounding the presence of seaweed beds at Poetto, which would ruin the "showcase" of the very jewel in the crown of the coastline, Zedda says: "Anyone arguing is either born or living in the Aosta Valley. As has been happening for millions of years, the mistral wind will take care of washing away the seagrass."