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Next summer marks the 38th staging of the America’s Cup. Taking place in Naples, Italy, it coincides with the weeks many megayacht owners and charter guests cruise southern Italian waters. To provide preferred slips and enjoy elevated hospitality, BWA Yachting is the official America’s Cup Superyacht Programme delivery partner.
The race is the third consecutive time that the yacht agency is serving in this role. Most recently, it handled the coordination for the America’s Cup in Barcelona (below). The first time was in Bermuda in 2016.
The world’s oldest sporting trophy, the America’s Cup attracts more than the top competitive sailors and advanced racing yachts. Numerous spectators turn out in their own boats to try to see some of the action close up. Over the past decade, the America’s Cup organizers have collaborated with specialists such as BWA Yachting to meet the particular needs of the superyacht community. For the America’s Cup Superyacht Programme, BWA Yachting will take on two particularly key roles. Firstly, it will manage the central booking system that captains and owners will need to use for reserving slips and experiences. Secondly, and related to this, the yacht agency will create social events for owners and their guests coinciding with the race days.
Already, owners and captains want to know about opportunities, says Grant Dalton, CEO of ACE Italy, the race organizer. “We saw in Barcelona how many superyachts came to the event, and we are sure to exceed that number again,” he asserts. According to an economic-impact study following the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024, 244 superyachts attended, spending €35 million ($40 million) with local businesses.
Collaborating with BWA Yachting, fellow agency Luise Group is the official America’s Cup Superyacht Programme preferred yacht agent. With its home base in Naples, it has been in business for more than 100 years. In fact, the Luise Group helped establish BWA Yachting. Francesco Luise, the Luise Group’s managing partner, says he and his team “are deeply honored,” further saying they expect the event to benefit Naples and Italy. “It is an immense emotion to be able to experience the energy of such an international context,” he notes.
Paschalis Patsiokas, CEO of BWA Yachting, also emphasizes the importance of the race to Naples (below) and to visitors. “Our responsibility is to ensure that yacht owners and guests experience the event with complete operational confidence,” he explains.
Within the next several weeks, a portal will open for owners and captains to register to receive information. Depending on the inquiry, they’ll receive details on berthing in the area or the America’s Cup Superyacht Programme events. Those who participated during the most recent race, in Barcelona, will find a familiar face at the helm. She’s Antonella Della Pietra. Conveniently, she’s a native Italian as well.
BWA Yachting bwayachting.com
Luise Group luise.com
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