What the America’s Cup will be like in Naples. Interview with Team New Zealand’s “boss” Matteo De Nora

In the recent history of the America’s Cup, a man like him was missing. I have seen sailors like John Bertrand, Dennis Conner, or Jimmy Spithill devote their lives to the Cup, driven by a passion for sailing alone, or a designer like Ben Lexcen sell his Ferrari (his only asset) to follow the boat he designed to Newport (in 1980 Alan Bond had not wanted to pay for his trip to the U.S.). Above all, I have seen many very rich men seek further validation to their entrepreneurial success by launching an America’s Cup challenge.

From Baron Bich, stubborn and unprepared, to Ted Turner, prepared and unpredictable, even when sober. Then there are two characters, never aimed at their own personal success, who have done so much for the Cup. To the first, Bruno Troublé, credit is surely due for giving the challengers a chance to win the coveted jug after a century and a half. To the second, Matteo de Nora, for allowing the New Zealanders, who had already once won it (and then lost it through treachery) to win it back and make it virtually unassailable.

Admittedly, the total agreement of intent between Gran Dalton and Matteo de Nora was essential, but the building of such an impregnable castle as the Protocol, as we have seen all the way to Barcelona, is surely the result of the many reasonings of a man who decided to devote so much energy to those who really needed it. Without ever appearing. The Team Principal of Emirates Team New Zealand has set his sights on Naples, and again he has probably made the right choice.

Here is the interview I conducted with him.

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Interview with Matteo De Nora

What made you decide for Naples rather than Athens? The support of the government? The race course? The beauty of the venues? Was it you with Grant Dalton who made the final decision?

Athens has its logic, but Naples has its charm. The presentations made by Sport and Health and their determination were certainly important factors. Then – of course – there is the pride of being the ones to bring the America’s Cup to Italy for the first time.

The one heralded by the new Protocol appears to be a revolution. A select committee-which includes challengers-will be introduced alongside the Challenger of Record. With the three wins in a row you could rest easy, one step ahead of the others. What were the motivations that led you to the proposal to innovate?

In sports, if you slow down because you think you’re one step ahead, that’s the end. In a way we are victims of our own successes because for too long the challengers have felt out of the game. We will see if-as we hope-all these innovations go in the right direction.

You have decided that the next America’s Cup will be run with the same AC75s we saw in Barcelona. Is it a matter of timing or a matter of cost?

The decision stems mainly from the fact that these hulls still have potential for improvement.

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The cost of participating in a complex event like the America’s Cup is very high. What – in your opinion – is a reasonable figure?

It depends on the time between Cups and how well the boats are developed. It is important to limit costs and not make a team’s budget the determinant of its victory. Innovation should not be tied to the amount spent.

The hulls with which they will compete in Naples will be modified, and the energy produced by the grinders will be replaced by that delivered by batteries. I personally applaud this choice. What prompted you to implement it? Will the batteries be monotype, provided by the organization?

Many people did not like the idea of cyclists, and returning to Naples with grinders on board might have been a step backward. Personally, I liked the principle that energy should be man-made. It had its why. We shall see. The batteries will be monotype, and the supplier company will be designated soon.

I read that on board, in addition to the 5 crew, there will be a guest (as light as possible, surely) invited by the team. What prompted you to make this proposal?

A return to the past, keeping in mind that the boats should have achieved a high degree of reliability and safety.

You propose to schedule the America’s Cup and put the Cup up for grabs every 2 years. What is the right time interval between events to get to change the formula and propose a new type of hull?

The timing is the same for everyone and is largely dictated by cost and the need for sponsors to invest according to a long-term strategy.

With the new amendment to the Protocol, it is enough for three of the crew members to have the nationality of the challenging country. Why was the previous, more restrictive rule changed?

I would see it differently. The fact that there can be two foreigners on board leads to encouragement for new teams, those who do not yet have a great sailing history in the America’s Cup.

What did you like about the race course in Naples?

The race course in Naples is extraordinarily beautiful; the city is projected out to sea, as are its inhabitants.

Did you witness the 2013 America’s Cup World Series, the ones raced in Naples with the AC45s?

No, I was already in San Francisco and unfortunately had to follow them remotely.

Was dealing with the Italian government complicated? Were your interlocutors the top management of Sport and Health, the government’s operational arm for major sporting events?

All meetings with representatives of the Italian government were characterized by professionalism and competence. We were certainly impressed by their preparation on details and awareness about the complexity of an event like this. The meetings were always marked by cooperation, not negotiation.

Can you confirm that there is an ongoing twinning between Circolo Savoia and the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron? And that therefore the Cup will remain at the Circolo Savoia venue during regatta periods?

Yes, Circolo Savoia has been very helpful to us, but we have very good relations with other local yacht clubs.

A new port area will be built in Bagnoli to house all the consortiums involved, the media center and the organization’s base. Is the result you are aiming for similar to that achieved in Valencia for the 2007 America’s Cup?

Yes. If it was the America’s Cup that helped return a wonderful area like Bagnoli to the world, it would be an achievement to be proud of.

I saw that among the sponsors of the next America’s Cup will be MSC. Will the cost of building the new port area be covered by Aponte’s company?

MSC has very strong ties to Naples and will be involved in different aspects of the event, but I do not think it is involved in the development of the port area.

As was the case in Barcelona, will the ETNZ organization provide the challengers with many parts of the hull?

It will be ACE to provide the one design components and the regatta software.

How many millions of U.S. dollars does your team need to put up a winning defense?

It is not just about how much money is spent, but how it is spent.

Registration for the 38th America’s Cup opened on August 19. There has been talk of Vincenzo Onorato’s interest in participating with a new Mascalzone Latino team. Do you think a second Italian challenge is possible?

Another Italian challenger would be great news. We shall see.

Ida Castiglioni