Italy and Emirates Team New Zealand, sailing partners a world apart

They might be on the other side of the world from each other, but New Zealand and Italy are much closer than you would think, especially when it comes to sailing. Not only do the two countries have similar shapes and are comparable in terms of total surface area, but they also share core sporting and cultural ties.

Elena Giolai/SLAM

Over the years, many Italian sailors, engineers, and technicians have contributed to Team New Zealand's victories. In the Cup’s 2000 edition, trimmer Lorenzo Mazza was among those onboard contributing to the team's success. After Luna Rossa's withdrawal from registration and participation in Bermuda back in 2017, other Italian sailing personalities such as Max Sirena, Michele Ivaldi (navigator), and engineers including Guido Siri and Andrea Visintini, gave their support to the New Zealand team through their technical roles. Grinder Gilberto Nobili and hydrodynamics expert Davide Tagliapietra also made important contributions to the team. These names alone demonstrate just how central Italian sailing has been in the development of the Kiwi challenges over the course of recent years. And despite the current edition's more restrictive rules limiting international collaboration within the team, the Italian legacy and presence with Team New Zealand remains undeniable, making it a source of pride for Italian fans who are looking forward to their final against INEOS Britannia.

With the America's Cup Match underway, and Luna Rossa unfortunately out of the picture, many Italian fans are shifting their support to Emirates Team New Zealand, and for good reason. The sporting ties between the two countries date back to the 2000 America's Cup, when New Zealand, after its 1995 victory in San Diego, hosted the America's Cup in Auckland for the first time.

The bond between Italy and New Zealand has continued into the current 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, with the technical support of SLAM. A brand that has been linked to the sea and seafaring for centuries, SLAM is the official supplier of clothing for Emirates Team New Zealand in this thrilling and historic challenge. This collaboration has allowed for the development of a line of sailing items, designed with the technical and functional indications contributed by Team New Zealand itself.