In 1983 Azzurra was the first Italian boat in history to participate in the America's Cup.

Azzurra, the Italian sailing union, protagonist of various challenges for the conquest of the America's Cup, since 1983. it presented itself in that year as a representative of the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda , with the patronage of the Aga Khan and Gianni Agnelli and was in absolute the first Italian challenger for the Cup.

The project was entrusted to the Vallicelli studio, and a hull was built in the Mario Cobau workshops of Pesaro and launched in Pesaro on July 19-20, 1982

Skipper was Cino Ricci, helmsman Mauro Pelaschier Olympian in the Finn class in 1972-76 and in the cockpit, Flavio Scala Olympian in 1972 Star class, Stefano Roberti winner of the 1980 One Ton Cup and Tiziano Nava multiple winner of the Mini Ton Cup