America's Cup: Memories of the past - Azzurra Challenge

Azzurra (I-4) vs Australia II (KA-6) in the 1983 Louis Vuitton Cup © Carlo Borlenghi

Italy has one of the most passionate and enduring histories in the America’s Cup. Azzurra’s 1983 debut turned Italian sailing into a national interest.

Backed by icons like Agnelli and the Aga Khan, it laid the foundation for today’s Italian America's Cup campaigns—culminating in Naples hosting the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup in 2027.

The year of 1982 was, in hindsight, a watershed year for Italy as a country. The soccer team had just won the FIFA World Cup beating Germany in the final 3-1 with Paolo Rossi, Marco Tardelli and Alessandro Altobelli becoming instant icons. Eight days later, on July 19th, 1982, in the eastern seaport town of Pesaro, Azzurra was launched with its ‘Gli Azzurri’ paintwork, the national colours so beloved and intrinsically linked with the country.

Italy immediately took the Azzurra syndicate to heart and as they set out on their adventure to Newport, and sailing went from the sports pages to the front pages of the national newspapers making instant heroes of the team. When the project was announced, the Aga Khan had stated: "We will face this breathtaking series of regattas with the humility of newcomers but with the conviction that we are worthy of participating.”

What further captured the Italian nation’s attention was the performance of Azzurra. From the outset she was a rocket-ship. Well-tuned and brilliantly sailed with passion and flair, the team had lent on legendary American sailor Tom Blackaller for match-racing experience in the lead-up to Newport and had clearly shown a faster turn of speed than the trial horse Enterprise that the team trained against.

By the start of the campaign and facing seven of the strongest ever Challengers in 1983, Azzurra was known to be potent taking scalps all along the way through the opening Round Robins of what was the first ever Challenger Selection Series for the inaugural Louis Vuitton Cup ...

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S-W NZ: Publication of this story does not imply, as far as we are aware, that the Protocol has been signed for the proposed event in 2027.

The facts are that three teams - Emirates Team NZ, Luna Rossa and K-Challenge (France) have issued various statements in favour of the Challenger of Record, the Royal Yacht Squadron signing off on the Protocol for the 38th America's Cup.

Two of those entities have issued statements of differing types in the last couple of weeks indicating they are keen to compete under the current version of the unsigned Protocol.

Three entities (Royal Yacht Squadron's team Athena Racing, American Magic and Alinghi have issued statements saying they don't believe the Protocol is reasonable. In fact Alinghi have issued a statement saying they are winding their team down, and several members have been laid off.

The fact that neither side (Challenger or Defender) are making public comment about the forthcoming 38th America's Cup, at this advanced stage of the America's Cup cycle is a telling statement in itself.

Meanwhile Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron are in receipt of a Challenge from Royal Yacht Squadron, which names a Match Date before the end of 2025, and to be sailed in the AC75 class. This Challenge must be decided before the next (39th) America's Cup can be sailed.

Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com/NZ