The future of the America's Cup

From foils to the sustainability of the seas

An opportunity to learn, for the first time, from industry experts, all about the design approach and technical content that will drive the 36th America's Cup, with a focus also on the themes of sustainability and efficiency.

Former Church of Sant'Agostino – Main Lecture Hall (Aula Magna) of the University of Bergamo
Piazzale Sant’Agostino 2, Bergamo
Thursday, 11 October
4.30pm – 7.00pm

Participation is free, reserve places in advance at
  www.50unibg.it

The future of the America's Cup

Numerous expert-led special events and public lectures have been organised in 2018 to mark the important milestone of the University of Bergamo's first 50 years. Indeed, the year has seen the staging of myriad cultural events geared towards exploring and reflecting upon salient issues and current topics across a wide array of different fields. The synergies and partnerships established in Bergamo have showcased some of the most interesting, cutting-edge businesses operating in the nautical sector in Italy.

The year's upcoming events include the conference scheduled for 11 October in the Aula Magna (main lecture hall) at the Sant'Agostino site, organised by Persico Group in collaboration with the University. This symposium will benefit from contributions by some of the leading experts in the industry, and aims to cast the spotlight on what is set to be a new, fascinating chapter in the history of the world's oldest sporting trophy – the America's Cup. The event will be inaugurated by University Chancellor Remo Morzenti Pellegrini, alongside Pierino Persico, Founder of Persico Group. The moderator will be journalist Matteo Zaccagnino.

The future of the America's Cup

The experts will include Marcello Persico, CEO of Persico Marine, a company that specialises in the design and construction of yachts and forms part of the Persico Group, which was founded in Nembro, in the province of Bergamo, where to this day it has one of its two Italian facilities. Marcello Persico will explain how the innovations and research that, over the years, have transformed sailing from the schooner America to the AC75s, have also changed what sailing is all about, because the America's Cup is not just a prestigious race but also – and, indeed, above all – a fascinating technological challenge. It is a test bench for refining new technical solutions and trying out ultra-modern materials, all with a single objective: to win.

Thanks to speeches from Horacio Carabelli and Max Sirena, Construction Coordinator and Team Director, respectively, of Luna Rossa Challenge, those in attendance will be able to imagine that they are "climbing aboard" the Italian challenger for the 36th America's Cup. The event will also afford an opportunity to get up-close and personal with companies such as Cariboni S.r.l. – among the largest and most dynamic Italian businesses concerned with the design and manufacture of hydraulic systems – through a speech by its president Gianni Caribon. Moreover, as they listen to the speech by Stefano Beltrando, CEO of Q.I Composites, the audience will get the low-down on the wide-ranging research conducted by this industry-leading company, which specialises in the structural analysis of composite materials. Also speaking at the event will be Emanuele Cecchini, Sales Director of Harken, a company at the forefront of deck hardware.

These speeches will chart the discoveries and studies that led to the creation of multihulls and, later, the arrival of foils, which has given a further boost to research, reducing the distance between the worlds of sailing and flight. These bona fide "Formula 1" vessels embody the state-of-the-art in technological design.

The future of the America's Cup

The Future of the America's Cup: from foils to the sustainability of the seas is an event conceived for those in the industry but also all those with a passion for sailing. The event will allow the public to learn more about a new, compelling design challenge that will benefit from the input not only of the teams competing but also of the companies involved in producing the components that will constitute these magnificent "flying machines".

Last but not least, there is the theme of sustainability – an issue that is becoming increasingly important at sailing events of this calibre, as evinced at the most recent Round the World Yacht Race. The America's Cup intends to stay in step with this latest trend through the development of a new class, based on accessible, sustainable technology that may then be transferred to other classes of watercraft.

At 6.00pm, attendees will be given the chance to have their say during a question and answer session with the speakers.

At the end of the conference, the Small Cloister (Chiostro Piccolo) of the University's Sant'Agostino site will play host to the exhibition of Carlo Borlenghi's photographs entitled "About foils", which will then remain open to the public until 20 October.

The Conference entitled "The Future of the America's Cup: from foils to the sustainability of the seas" is being staged by Persico Group as part of the 50th anniversary of the foundation of the University of Bergamo, with the support of:
Main partners: Ubi Banca, Gewiss, Siad, Italcementi, Pro Universitate.
Co-partner: Sacbo

Attendance is free, sign-up is required via the  www.50unibg.it  portal.