Naples, Italy, has agreed in principle to host two stops on the America’s Cup World Series; the first will be in April 2012, the second in May 2013.

Designed to expose millions more people to the sport of high-performance racing, the new professional circuit was created to bring the America’s Cup experience to top international venues.

“I’m very pleased to confirm we will be bringing the America’s Cup World Series to Naples,” said Richard Worth, the Chairman of the America’s Cup Event Authority. “Naples offers us a Mediterranean backdrop, and a stadium set-up within the Bay of Naples – a perfect complement to the exciting racing the AC World Series provides.”

A delegation from the Naples event organizing committee, including the Mayor of Naples Luigi de Magistris, and the Governor of Campania Stefano Caldoro, the Deputy President of the Province of Naples Gennaro Ferrara, the President of the Industrial Union Paolo Graziano, and President of Bagnolifutura Riccardo Marone, are in Plymouth this week, reviewing facilities, the set-up of the technical areas and the race village and enjoying the racing.

The representatives from Naples are in agreement: “We are very pleased to become a part of the story of the America’s Cup World Series. Like the America’s Cup, we have a rich tradition and history and long association with the sea. We are excited the America’s Cup World Series will now bring the most cutting-edge boats and best sailors in the world to our shores.”

Preliminary terms were signed in Plymouth today. There will be a press conference in Naples on September 29th, to formally announce the details of the two World Series events, including dates.

“The combination of Venice and Naples, two spectacular Italian venues, will create an exciting dynamic in a country that has a passionate fan base for the America’s Cup,” Worth said.

The AC World Series format includes a mix of speed trials, head-to-head match racing, and all-out fleet racing with 9 identical AC45s on the line. These events provide the fans the only opportunity to see all of the America’s Cup competitors racing together