GB1 begins construction of base for 38th America's Cup in Bagnoli, Naples
by GB1 11 Jun 16:02 BST
Site of team bases ahead of the 38th America's Cup in Bagnoli, Naples © GB1
The British America's Cup team, GB1, has collected the keys for its base for the 38th America's Cup which will take place in Naples in 2027. Construction will now begin at the site in Bagnoli, with work expected to last until this autumn.
Bagnoli, situated about six miles from the centre of Naples, is a reclaimed, former industrial site that sits on the waterfront in the shadow of the small volcanic island of Nisida.
The area has been transformed to house the seven competitors in the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, as well as providing permanent office space for America's Cup Events and the Race Village for the regatta in 2027.
Ian Walker, CEO of GB1, was in Bagnoli on Wednesday to sign the initial paperwork to begin construction, with the first of the team trucks arriving with their pre-packed base that served as their home-from-home in Barcelona for the 37th America's Cup in 2024.
Looking out over the crystal waters in front of the team bases, Walker commented: "It's only when you get here and see 14 knots of onshore sea-breeze and the most stunning scenery, that you get a sense of just how awesome the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup is going to be. It's absolutely perfect, and now it's over to our build team to take the concept into reality."
Walker continued: "I was here just six months ago and what has been achieved has been impressive. As the Challenger of Record, we owe a huge debt of thanks to both Sport e Salute and to America's Cup Events (ACE) for getting the Bagnoli site to this point, and for us to be in a position to start construction. It's a significant milestone for us as a team, and for the event itself, but the clock is ticking as we get ready for sailing and developing the big boat - the AC75 - in the autumn, which is crucial."
GB1, as the Challenger of Record, will be based next to the Defenders, Emirates Team New Zealand. The other teams will be situated by agreement and by entry protocol to the east of the Defender and Challenger of Record with teams expected to arrive in short order as the base plots become available.
As Walker concluded: "You start to really see the scale, and you start to imagine what the event's going to be like, not only in Bagnoli, but also in Naples and being here now in June, looking out over the waters, it's going to be stunning."