An exciting agreement was signed at midday today between Carlo Pontecorvo, a gentleman from Naples and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ferrarelle Società Benefit, and Grant Dalton, the legendary sailor and CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand.
An agreement born from the meeting of two like-minded personalities, united by shared values: sustainability, respect for the environment, research and development. And between two organisations that share a fundamental element: water.
A partnership, therefore, that is ‘naturally effervescent’.
‘Grant’s first proposal dates back to Valencia (America’s Cup 2010), though we weren’t ready at the time. But in March 2025, when we met again at the Hotel Vesuvio, I had no doubts: I didn’t do the maths, I said yes straight away.’
At ease on stage, Pontecorvo receives a near standing ovation when he explains the reasons behind his choice: “I believe Ferrarelle’s involvement must represent that of the entire region. Naples could not simply be the venue for such an important event: a major Campania-based company had to be part of it.”
Dalton smiles, praises the extraordinary kindness of Naples and thanks the owner of Ferrarelle, sponsor not only of Emirates Team New Zealand but also of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
A double coup for the company that bottles the only mineral water in the world that flows naturally sparkling from a spring over 100 km deep.
“I only discovered this recently,” Dalton confesses, “and just think: at the launch of the AC75 Taihoro (which in Māori means ‘to move harmoniously like the sea between sky and earth’), I asked for a few bottles of Ferrarelle, somewhat doubtful I’d find any. They arrived from the distributor in just half an hour: a testament to internationalisation and efficiency.”
Dalton also goes out on a limb regarding the 2029 edition: “We’re working on it; I really do believe it will be in Naples.” He is more cautious, however, about the preparatory regattas: apart from the upcoming event in Cagliari, nothing has yet been confirmed — neither Athens nor Naples in June — nor the number of events, which could increase.
When asked the inevitable question about the scale of the sponsorship, Pontecorvo replies with his typical Neapolitan humour: “It’s like a lady’s age: you don’t say.”
And finally, he floats an intriguing idea: “I already know who the winner will be, but I’m not saying because I don’t want to jinx it. Once the Cup is over, though, I want to take the boat to the natural oasis of the Parco delle Sorgenti Ferrarelle, beneath the geyser of the spring.”
Then, turning to Dalton and Matteo De Nora, team principal of Team New Zealand, he concludes: “I don’t know how yet, but don’t worry: I’ll take care of everything.”
Who knows who he has in mind as the winner.
Fabio Ratti
