Bertarelli: 'The America's Cup Partnership a quantum leap for sailing, I'd like to see Luna Rossa win'

"We had the first idea, then it was everyone's work to put it together. The Cup also requires a major economic commitment on technology and equipment, you have to value everything. To revitalise the number of teams we needed an arrangement where teams compete on the water, but out of the water they help each other. In 2007, we helped the teams a lot and even distributed revenue in the end. If the game is too tense, and is built for the elimination of the opponent, it cannot become a modern game. It was also seen in tennis: Federer and Nadal fought, but at the end of the match they showed a friendship and an important promotion of the sport.

How do you consider the stage in Naples with your audience?

'In Valencia we showed that it was possible to get the public and the whole city involved in an event like the America's Cup. That's another reason why ACP will be needed. The goal of the event cannot be for just one team to win. In my opinion, the goal is to make all the teams win and also the location of the teams. We cannot not let Naples win, we cannot waste an opportunity like that. And we have to admit that Italy is the most important market for the Copa America'.

What are the keys to success?

"In 2007 I had been criticised a lot by certain members of the team because I had split the responsibility for the team from that of the event. That was one of the things that Russell Coutts didn't like. I think one of the reasons why the Cup in Barcelona was not up to expectations was that Grant Dalton managed everything, and that was too much. ACP is also about having management independence, following the will of the teams.

Do television rights have a value?

"For now in my opinion you have to give them away. That is my opinion. Even in Valencia we did more or less the same, with very reduced values".

How will Tudor Alinghi be?

"Unfortunately we are late because we have stopped and we have to restart the team. The old team showed a lot of loyalty, we are restarting and we have Swiss but also foreigners. I saw the Cup when it was going well, I won... but it's when it goes wrong that you learn. And in Barcelona we learned a lot."

And what do you think of Luna Rossa?

"I would like to see Patrizio Bertelli win the America's Cup. Certainly this time they are in the best position of all. They were strong in Barcelona and it was a disappointment not to see them in the final. I think the defeat also brought many lessons and I hope to see them win.