Naples set for AC40 showdown in two months

When the dust settled after the sensational first Preliminary Regatta in Sardinia in May, there were more questions than answers. Many of the teams were light on training time having begun their campaigns for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, a few weeks before. Since then, and with just two months to go before the start of PR2, it has been very different with all of the teams upping their intensity in training, determined to put it all on the line in Naples at the end of September where nine boats will contest for the title with American Racing Challenger Team USA making their debut.

The news that American Racing Challenger Team USA have confirmed their one-boat entry, is a welcome addition. Who will be onboard for the USA is, at the time of writing, still to be decided but the Americans have been pushing hard in two-boat practice and team selection out of their new Pensacola, Florida base in recent weeks.

Having the USA back on the start line is significant and enhances the competition. Led by CEO Ken Read, himself a multiple world champion and past America’s Cup skipper, alongside Giles Scott, the team’s Head of Sailing and a double Olympic gold medallist, American Racing Challenger Team USA is expected to perform at a very high level.

All the teams however, are eyeing the two Luna Rossa boats as the benchmark after their stellar performance in Sardinia, but in the intervening period between regattas, there have been some intense training camps.

GB1, the Challenger of Record, and Athena Pathway have been ramping up the pressure, training out of Cagliari, whilst Emirates Team New Zealand have been hard at work in Auckland before de-camping to Naples for their summer training block with two AC40s – a Principal Team and a Women & Youth Team.

TUDOR Team Alinghi have been hard at work in Barcelona with Paul Goodison leading and will field one senior team again for Naples, whilst La Roche-Posay Racing Team have been training from Lorient in the north-west of France and also will send their Principal Team to the second Preliminary Regatta under the command of Quentin Delapierre. Team Australia, a confirmed entry for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, unfortunately will not be on the starting line in September. 

When battle commences however, scores will be settled. All of the competing teams are eyeing top performances in Naples and the racing is set to ignite like never before. Luna Rossa, the hometown favourites, have a big target on their backs and the likes of Emirates Team New Zealand and GB1 will be looking for a fast start to stamp their authority on the regatta.

La Roche-Posay Racing Team know they have the skill to deliver whilst TUDOR Team Alinghi will be looking to build on the form they showed towards the end of the Sardinia regatta.

The dark horses are the Americans who have looked proficient in training, whilst the big story again is whether the Women & Youth Teams of Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa and Athena Pathway can, once again, take the fight to their Principal teams and score race wins - or maybe even the regatta?

The format for the regatta stays largely the same as in Sardinia with practice racing on the 24th September for the fleet, and then racing starts at 14.13 CEST (one hour earlier than Sardinia timings) for three fleet races on the 25th September 2026, with racing expected to conclude by 16.00 CEST.

The weekend sees a further three fleet races on Saturday 26th September, followed by two fleet races on the Sunday 27th September. The top two boats will then progress to the final which is a one-race shoot out, one-on-one for the overall title. Winner takes all. And as is famous in the America’s Cup: ‘There is no Second.’

Shoreside, Naples waterfront will be alive with the Official Race Village being free-to-all and open from 11am to approximately 8pm every day starting from Thursday 24th September and running through the regatta.

The main stage will be the epicentre for the dock-out and dock-in shows every race day and will get the fans closest to the sailors. A presentation of the teams will be made at approximately 6pm on Thursday 24th September. Entertainment from local artists will precede the racing and large screens will bring all the race action and commentary to the Race Village. Merchandise stands and food and drinks stations will abound, as well as activations from partners and sponsors. Furthermore the Via Francesco Caracciolo will be closed to traffic for spectators to enjoy the promenade and the most perfect viewing spots of the AC40s in action.

The beauty of racing in the Bay of Naples means that there will be viewing aplenty for spectators both shoreside and in designated areas on the water for private vessels. If you’ve never seen flying AC40 yachts at speeds in excess of 40 knots, come to Naples and see it with your own eyes. You won’t believe the spectacle.

Meanwhile Naples itself is a city worthy of exploration with historic streets, incredible ancient castles and monuments and some of the best food anywhere in the world matched only by the hospitality of the city’s residents.