Primed for the Start Line
The wait is over for Tudor Team Alinghi as the preliminary regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup gets underway in the Gulf of Naples. Ahead of this afternoon’s opening practice sessions, skipper Paul Goodison represented the Team at this morning’s official press conference.
Racing will run over three days (September 25 to 27), with nine AC40s lining up at the starting line as the seven America’s Cup teams go through a full series of fleet races. Since the outcome of the final day’s winner-takes-all match race is at stake, the regatta will feature intense competition right from the beginning.
For Paul Goodison, the second preliminary regatta represents an important step. “The team has been working incredibly hard on the shore side, and the boat is becoming more reliable and faster every day. We’ve had two really productive training sessions here in Naples to help us get used to the conditions. The team has grown quite quickly over the past two weeks. We are excited to get back to racing again.”
The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Naples Preliminary Regatta runs from Thursday 24 to Sunday 27 September 2026, with racing scheduled each afternoon from 2 pm CEST.
Following practice racing on Thursday, the fleet will contest eight scheduled races across Friday–Sunday. After the fleet races, scores will be tallied, and the top two boats will advance to a single, winner-take-all match-race final.
SCHEDULE
Thursday, September 24: Official Practice Day & Opening Ceremony
Friday, September 25: Race Day 1, 14 – 16 CEST (Races 1-3)
Saturday, September 26: Race Day 2, 14 – 16 CEST (Races 4-6)
Sunday, September 27: Race Day 3, 14 – 16 CEST (Races 7-8, followed by the match-race final)
HOW TO WATCH
Watch live on the America’s Cup YouTube channel
TUDOR TEAM ALINGHI FOR NAPLES PRELIMINARY REGATTA
Paul Goodison (1977 / GBR), Skipper & Starboard Helm, three-time America’s Cup competitor
Phil Robertson (1987 / NZL), Port Helm, since 2024 with the Team
Nicolas Rolaz (1999 / SUI), Starboard Trimmer, since 2024 with the Team
Pietro Sibello (1979/ ITA), Port Trimmer, two-time America’s Cup competitor
