GB1 and Circolo Canottieri Napoli announce partnership ahead of the 2027 America's Cup
by GB1 Media 4 Nov 16:26 GMT
Ian Walker, Chief Executive Officer of GB1 with Giancarlo Bracale, President of Circolo Canottieri Napoli © Carlo Di Santo
GB1, the British team representing Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd, the Challenger of Record for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, has announced a partnership with Circolo Canottieri Napoli, which will become the Official Naples Yacht Club of GB1 and GB2 on their journey towards the America's Cup in Naples in 2027.
Based in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the Royal Yacht Squadron is regarded as one of the world's most prestigious yacht clubs and holds a central place in America's Cup history, having organised the race around the Isle of Wight in 1851 from which the competition originated. Through GB1, this heritage comes together with the Neapolitan sporting tradition of Circolo Canottieri Napoli in a partnership built on a shared passion for sailing.
Circolo Canottieri Napoli will serve as the Official Naples Yacht Club of GB1 and GB2, the British teams competing in the America's Cup and the Women's and Youth America's Cup events respectively. The agreement was signed in Naples during the recent America's Cup Preliminary Regatta by Ian Walker, CEO of GB1, and Giancarlo Bracale, President of Circolo Canottieri Napoli.
The partnership will provide GB1 & GB2 team members and their families with a welcoming place to gather at the Club's Molosiglio premises, which will also host partnership events and activities. For GB1 and GB2, it provides an opportunity to build stronger connections with Naples' sporting community and share the journey towards the America's Cup with those who live and sail in the city.
Education and engagement with the next generation will be central to the partnership. GB1 and GB2 team members will join educational workshops with the Club's Sailing School, alongside visits to the team's base in Bagnoli, giving young sailors and Club members an insight into the people, technology and expertise behind an America's Cup campaign.
Ian Walker, GB1 CEO said: "The America's Cup is about much more than what happens on the water. When you are part of bringing an event of this scale to a city like Naples, you want to make a positive impact, become part of the community and, importantly, inspire the next generation of sailors.
"For our team and their families, Naples will become home over the coming months, so having a place where they can feel welcome and connected to the city is incredibly important. Circolo Canottieri Napoli gives us exactly that - a fantastic Club in the heart of Naples, overlooking the waters where we'll be racing.
"From the moment we arrived, the Club and its members have made us feel incredibly welcome. We're excited to build on that relationship, share our America's Cup journey with the Club and its young sailors, and create a connection that we hope will last well beyond the racing in 2027."
Giancarlo Bracale, President of Circolo Canottieri Napoli, said; "Welcoming GB1 and GB2 to the Club means sharing a sporting adventure of great significance for Naples," "We will contribute our hospitality and experience, creating opportunities for the team, our members and our Sailing School students to meet. We hope this partnership will give young sailors new skills, enthusiasm and motivation for their future in sport."