Naples' Race Village is filling up fast, with Saturday shaping up to be the biggest day yet at this leg of the America's Cup.
Entry is free, and organisers are expecting crowds in the tens of thousands. They will be there for the AC40 fly-bys, each accompanied by a team's battle song blaring across the village. The loudest cheer, unsurprisingly, is reserved for the home nation and current regatta leaders, Luna Rossa.
Racing gets underway just after 2pm, with four races on the schedule for the day. Big screens around the village carry the broadcast and commentary for those watching on land, while fans wanting the action piped straight to their headphones can tune in to the America's Cup Radio Station for an as-live feed direct from the racecourse.
The Megastore is worth factoring into any visit. It's stocked with team merchandise, America's Cup clothing, accessories and keepsakes, and draws serious crowds at peak times. Numbers inside have to be capped, so it pays to watch the queue and slot in when there's a gap.
Hungry? The food court and stalls lining the closed-off Via Federico Carraciolo offer a wide spread of food and drink through the afternoon, with something for most tastes and budgets. There's plenty else scattered through the village too: activities for the young, a try-sailing initiative on the beach, and sponsor promotions dotted throughout. Worth a wander.
Once racing wraps up, fans get a chance to see the sailors and teams up close at the dock-in show on the main stage. Get near the front and you might catch some free team merchandise, as the sailors have a habit of throwing gear into the crowd.
For those staying on into the evening, live DJs and performances from local artists keep things going until the village closes at 9pm.
Saturday in Naples, at the greatest regatta on the planet. Free to get in, and well worth the trip down to the water.
