38th AC Preliminary Regatta, Luna Rossa is ready

Today in Cagliari, final preparations are underway for the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia, the opening event of the 38th America’s Cup, organized by America’s Cup Partnership (ACP). Although the results will not count toward the Challenger Selection Series or the America’s Cup itself, tomorrow the teams will officially return to racing head-to-head on the racecourse and once again feel the tension and adrenaline of competition.

The eve of the first day of racing is marked by an official Practice Race and a series of institutional events:

The Skippers’ press conference
Greetings from the authorities of the Sardinian capital
The opening ceremony, featuring the key figures of the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia taking the stage following a parade through the city’s historic center
The opening of the Race Village to the public
As expected, the skippers’ press conference drew broad participation from journalists and media representatives, who took the first opportunity to ask numerous questions to the main players of the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia.

«I’m very happy to be with Luna Rossa», said Peter Burling. «When the opportunity came up, I took it and I’m glad I did. It’s a very strong team that I’ve always respected. We have an exceptional sailing lineup — like Marco Gradoni sitting next to me here — and we’ve done great work over these past months. I can’t wait to get back on the racecourse».

«We’re ready», said Marco Gradoni. «Of course we feel the pressure, but maybe our opponents feel it even more… We’re highly motivated while also staying calm, because we know what needs to be done. We feel the support of the city of Cagliari, and it gives us tremendous energy. It’s a privilege for us to race here».

Luna Rossa will compete with two AC40s, one of which — by regulation — must be crewed by a mixed youth/women team:

Luna Rossa 1 – Team Y&W carries a gray mast band
Luna Rossa 2 – Team Principal carries a light blue mast band
Official Luna Rossa lineup for the Preliminary Regatta Sardinia

Luna Rossa 1

Marco Gradoni (Helmsman)
Margherita Porro (Helmswoman)
Maria Giubilei (Trimmer)
Giovanni Santi (Trimmer)

Luna Rossa 2

Peter Burling (Helmsman)
Ruggero Tita (Helmsman)
Vittorio Bissaro (Trimmer)
Umberto Molineris (Trimmer)
Also selected:

Maria Vittoria Marchesini (Trimmer), Gianluigi Ugolini (Helmsman), Federico Colaninno (Trimmer), Massimiliano Antoniazzi (Helmsman).

Racing Format and Key Rules
There will be two race areas, and the Race Committee will select the most suitable one based on weather and sea conditions.

The course will be a windward-leeward course, with both windward and leeward gates. The expected total course length will be either 4 or 6 legs, with each race lasting about 20 minutes. Each leg will range between 1 mile and 1.6 miles. The Race Committee may shorten the course; however, since at least two legs must be completed, the race cannot be abandoned before the leeward gate.

Start Procedure
The starting line will be defined by two geostationary marks
On race days, the first race will start at 3:13 PM and the final race at 4:34 PM
On Sunday, May 24, no race may start after 5:00 PM
In fleet racing, boats must cross the starting line within 3 minutes of the start signal
In match racing, if neither boat starts within 5 minutes of the start signal, both boats will be scored as losers (0 points)
Time Limits
For a race to be valid, two time limits must be met: one for the first gate (7 minutes) and one for completing the course (25 minutes)
The first boat must round the first windward gate within its time limit and cross the finish line within the overall time limit
Once the first boat completes the course, the Race Committee will declare the race finished after 5 minutes
If at least one boat finishes within the time limit, the race is valid. Each yacht will be ranked according to finishing position or, alternatively, by the last gate passed, provided it has rounded at least the first windward gate.
Wind Limits and Sea State
The warning signal will not be given if the Race Director determines that:
(a) true wind speed is below 7.5 knots or above 21 knots; or
(b) sea conditions are unsuitable.

Scoring
The winner of each race earns 10 points, second place 9 points, third place 8 points, and so on down the fleet.

Penalties
A penalized boat must lose 75 meters relative to the boat designated by the Umpires. If the penalty is assigned before the start, it must still be taken after the start signal and within the boundaries
The penalty must be completed within 60 seconds (but not before the start signal)
In fleet racing, if a boat receives a penalty at the finish line, it may still cross the line, but 20 seconds will be added to its elapsed time.