LOUIS VUITTON 38TH AMERICA’S CUP PRESENTED TO A GLOBAL AUDIENCE ALONG WITH THE AGREEMENT WITH THE ITALIAN MARINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION AS A STRATEGIC PARTNER, FOLLOWED BY THE 37TH IREN MILLEVELE PRIZE CEREMONY
A double sailing event took this morning by storm on the terrace of the Blue Pavilion during the fourth day of the 65th Genoa International Boat Show.
The morning began with the award ceremony for the winners of the 37th edition of the Iren Millevele, the traditional sailing event that historically takes place during the Genoa International Boat Show. Organised by Yacht Club Italiano, the sailing event in which the Boat Show itself and the Italian Marine Industry Association are among the Sponsoring Bodies saw the participation of 214 sails at sea, offering the Boat Show’s visitors and the public outside on the quaysides a highly suggestive moment. The award ceremony, introduced by Yacht Club Italiano’s President, Carlo Cameli, was also attended by the President of the Liguria Regional Council, Marco Bucci, and Genoa Mayor, Silvia Salis.
During the award ceremony, President of the Italian Marine Industry Association Piero Formenti highlighted the privilege of having the Millevele as part of the Genoa International Boat Show’s events. “This represents the completion of what we do, because in the end the boats have to go to sea and the Millevele is an extraordinary showcase in this sense. This year, while the regatta was taking place, we experienced a moment of great significance for sailing: the signing of the agreement between the Italian Marine Industry Association and America’s Cup Events, which sees us as strategic partners of the spectacle to be held in Naples in 2027. This took place during the Millevele, giving the regatta further prominence.
My wish is that the Millevele will grow even more in the years to come. Our goal is ambitious: to make the Genoa International Boat Show the number one show in the world – today we are already among the top three. We hope that, in parallel, the Millevele will become the regatta of reference in Italy.”
On the stage, the prize-winners of the winning crews in the different categories took turns. President Piero Formenti together with the Vice President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, Fabio Planamente, presented the Confindustria Nautica Award to X-Yachts with IMXTINENTE and Rachistar.
The splendid Auld Mug of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup attracted a large audience of enthusiasts on the Terrace of the Blue Pavilion for the second public presentation. After a video showing the most spectacular moments of the past edition in Barcelona, the President of the Italian Marine Industry Association, Piero Formenti, reiterated the importance of the cooperation agreement between ACE and the Association, signed yesterday at the 65th Genoa International Boat Show with Grant Dalton, in the presence of Paolo Zangrillo, Minister for Public Administration, Mario Pozzi, Chief Technical Secretary of the Minister for Sport and Youth, Marco Mezzaroma, President of Sport and Health, Diego Nepi Molineris, Managing Director of Sport and Health, and Gaetano Manfredi, Mayor of Naples. “It was an incredible opportunity to create this system,” recalled Formenti. “The Italian Marine Industry Association comprehensively represents the entire supply chain of the Italian boating industry: from accessories to components, from sailing to yachts, from inflatable boats to boats of all sizes, up to services and charters. This is precisely why we have chosen to put all our know-how at the disposal of America’s Cup Events, ready to support every need of this extraordinary adventure. For Naples this is an extraordinary occasion. The America’s Cup represents at the highest level the sporting spirit of sailing: a historic competition, the oldest in the world, which brings with it a unique prestige“.
The president then gave the floor to Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events: “Today the two strongest teams are Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa. I find it hard to believe that any other team but Luna Rossa could win the Challenger Series and then challenge Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup Final. First of all, because it is a very well organised and structured team, but also because both the youth and women’s teams of Luna Rossa, who won in 2024, were unstoppable. All sports teams must invest in young and women athletes. Naples is a perfect racing ground. I have noticed a passion in this city that is not easy to find anywhere else in the world: I am sure that Naples will bring this same warmth to the America’s Cup as well. I appreciate the Italian boating industry and this Boat Show, who have reached such a high level thanks to a mix of design, innovation and taste. Congratulations to everyone, I am thrilled that the Cup is in Italy and I hope to see you all in Naples!“.
Genoa, 21st September 2025
