America’s Cup, Nepi: ‘We are on schedule with the redevelopment of Bagnoli’
The CEO of Sport e Salute provided an update in Geneva on the works in the former Italsider site. Consul Piccirillo: “11 stages to tell the story of the cup”
Key points
The redevelopment and infrastructure works on the former Italsider site in Bagnoli, aimed at transforming it into a space suitable for hosting the Race Village and the team base for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples, “are progressing and are on track with the schedule and deadlines we have set ourselves”. This was emphasised by Diego Nepi Molineris, CEO of Sport e Salute, the state-owned company responsible for the development of sporting activities.
Nepi gave an update on Bagnoli at the Société nautique de Genève, during the event ‘Destination Napoli 2027 – America’s Cup and beyond’, organised by the Consulate General of Italia in Geneva, in collaboration with the ICE agency in Bern. The meeting took place as part of the 11-stop international roadshow leading up to the 2027 America’s Cup.
‘At present, there are no critical issues regarding the tenders’
“As things stand,” Nepi continued, “there are no delays; even the major infrastructure projects have been completed on schedule.” Regarding the completion dates for the works currently underway, “by the end of December,” said the CEO, “we already have some deadlines; then we’ll have further handover deadlines by January. Furthermore, we have a series of projects moving from Bagnoli but heading, in any case, towards Naples, around March–April; these are all already planned and scheduled. At the moment, there are no critical issues regarding the timetable. Of course, there is a huge amount of work, and it is being carried out, of course, by various organisations: by the Special Commissioner for Bagnoli, who is the mayor, Gaetano Manfredi, as well as by Invitalia, which will then hand over the sites to us; and also by the teams themselves, who are setting up and building their own bases within the Bagnoli area. And it’s a sight to behold seeing the boats already inside the hangars. Moreover, all seven teams within the facility are witnessing the progress Bagnoli is making and are the first to create a multiplier effect for the operation.”
Moreover, according to Nepi, investment in the regeneration of Bagnoli (a total of 1.2 billion) “is proceeding at the same pace as the works. Manfredi is carrying out flawless planning of the facilities, and Invitalia is professionally overseeing all operations, both at sea and on land”.
A discussion with the race’s key figures and Confindustria Nautica
The event in Geneva – home to the Tudor Alinghi team and MSC Cruises (the event’s global partner) – provided an opportunity for the key players in the upcoming America’s Cup to come together. Among those taking part were Michel Hodara, Team Director of Alinghi’s business division, and, joining via video link from Cagliari, Max Sirena, Team Director of Luna Rossa. Also speaking at the meeting were the Vice-President of Confindustria Nautica, Fabio Planamente, and Stefano Pagani Isnardi, Director of the association’s research department. The association is Strategic Marine Industry Advisory partner of the America’s Cup and supports the organisers and participating teams in identifying strategic companies within the Italian nautical industry supply chain.
