America's Cup in Naples

Hooray! The preliminary regatta for the 38th America's Cup—the world's premier sailing competition—has concluded with a victory for the Italian team, Luna Rossa.

There was tremendous excitement along Naples' Lungomare Caracciolo, with huge crowds packing the platforms set up on the seawall and filling every available space along the waterfront.

We were there on Saturday, September 26, 2026, to see just how accessible this world-class event was for people with mobility impairments. First, we passed through the security checks at the entrance arch to the Race Village:

Then we came across the panels with photos of the boats:

A look at Castel dell'Ovo:

And after that lovely image of Capri bathed in the shimmering sea, let’s turn our attention to the platforms and their accessibility.

It is worth noting that law enforcement ensured effective, thorough, and courteous security checks; while able-bodied people waited in long lines at the entrance steps, people with disabilities breezed straight in via the designated platforms—which were also monitored by the aforementioned officers. Here they are:

A few photos of the boats, taken with our modest equipment:

So, how about coming next year for the actual regatta? The prospects are excellent, and the organization passed the test with flying colors—including from the perspective of wheelchair users. That way, we can all get together to cheer for Luna Rossa (though our non-Italian readers are welcome to root for another crew, too...).

To wrap up this post, we’d like to introduce a new art installation in Piazza Municipio, curated by Vincenzo Trione, which ties in perfectly with the regatta we’ve been discussing. It is titled Voyageur and is the work of Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama, one of today’s most influential contemporary artists. To introduce the installation, we are sharing the following text from the City of Naples website:

For Piazza Municipio, Mahama—a leading figure in the international contemporary art scene—has conceived a new, monumental work consisting of three boats created specifically for the occasion: three large wooden vessels, standing approximately 5, 7, and 8 meters tall, built using traditional Ghanaian designs and techniques.

Positioned in the center of the recently restored square overlooking the port of Naples, the three vessels create a link between West Africa and the Mediterranean, evoking key themes in the artist’s work: migration, the movement of goods, labor, cultural exchange, and the transformation of communities.

The presence of Mahama’s three vessels in the harbor-facing square carries multiple layers of meaning, underscoring a direct connection to the sea as a place of travel, encounter, hospitality, and peace.

Values ​​to be shared and promoted.

Here are some images of the artwork taken in the evening, beautifully illuminated:

UNTIL NEXT TIME!!!