The storylines are virtually writing themselves. All across the fleet of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, Naples, it’s a serious time. You can feel the tension in the sailors and shore teams whilst shoreside it is all systems go to deliver the most anticipated regatta in world sailing this year.
Redemption, revenge, pride, ambition, and anxiety are ever-present across the nine-strong fleet with one of the strongest storylines being whether the mixed Women & Youth Teams of Emirates Team New Zealand, GB2 and Luna Rossa can continue their stellar momentum gained in Sardinia back in May.
For many, their rise was as unexpected as it was thrilling. Marco Gradoni and Margherita Porro, sailing for Luna Rossa, led the fleet all the way through to the final Sunday whilst Erica Dawson and Jake Pye sat consistently amongst the front-runners, race after race for Emirates Team New Zealand. GB2 (then Athena Pathway) scored a memorable race win, taking the lead and front-running like the very best, and for sure they will be looking to capitalise in Naples.
However, when the regatta concluded it was the big guns of Peter Burling & Ruggero Tita, for Luna Rossa, taking on Nathan Outteridge and Seb Menzies of Emirates Team New Zealand. Luna Rossa won in fine style with a wire-to-wire victory, starting just 0.3 seconds behind the line at pace and never looking back. It was first blood to the Italians and a vital momentum boost for their campaign.
For others, Sardinia came early in their America’s Cup campaign, but those excuses are no longer valid for Naples. Training has continued at pace around the world in the AC40s and AC75s combined with off-water simulator practice that is vital to success. TUDOR Team Alinghi and La Roche-Posay Racing Team showed outstanding form late in the regatta and will be eyeing the podium for sure, whilst GB1, the Challenger of Record who were forced to sit out the opening day due to a mechanical breakdown, went on to score a race victory and have all the ingredients to push for the win in Naples.
The dark horses are the Americans, competing with a new-look team that is likely to be centred around helms Harry Melges IV and Lucas Calabrese who are world-class and highly experienced America’s Cup foilers.
Harry was the defeated finalist in the Youth America’s Cup in 2024 and the rivalry with Marco Gradoni, the Luna Rossa skipper who won in Barcelona, will for sure be intense.
Same too elsewhere, with so much emerging talent – talent that will contest the America’s Cup for decades into the future – coming through the AC40 pathway at pace. It’s a transitional time in the America’s Cup, and everyone knows it.
Naples meanwhile is buzzing to the beat of the America’s Cup. The ‘city by the sea’ is getting ready to welcome the world and is expecting vast numbers of both domestic and international travellers.
Hotel rooms are filling up, and the America’s Cup Event organisation are in top gear preparing the free-to-all Race Village that has been extended along the Via Francesca Carriacolo.
With racing taking place just off the shoreline, there will be plenty of viewing opportunities all around the Bay but for the best experience, the Race Village will have it all with large screens, live commentary and the main stage where the dock-out and dock-in shows will take place.
The ever-popular merchandise shop will be well-stocked, and there will plenty of food and beverage stations dotted around the area. Naples hospitality is well documented – the Preliminary Regatta will showcase that to the maximum.
The regatta itself starts with fleet racing on the 25th and 26th September with three races per day. Come Sunday 27th September there are two more fleet races before the top two boats advance to a one-race, winner-takes-all, battle for the title where as Cup legend has it: ‘There is no Second.’
It promises to be a thrilling crescendo to a memorable regatta.
Naples. Be there.
