AC begins in May

Five teams are currently entered, each competing with up to two one-design foiling AC40 yachts, one of which will be dedicated to crews made up of Women and Youth America’s Cup sailors.

During the first days, the teams will compete in a series of fleet races, after which the top two in the standings will face each other in a winner-takes-all final that will determine the overall Preliminary Regatta winner.

For all the teams competing in the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, the Sardinian event will be the first real opportunity to go head-to-head, assess performance and observe different racing tactics.

The presentation was introduced and moderated by the Regional Tourism Councillor of the Region of Sardinia Franco Cuccureddu, who underlined how complex it had been to overcome competition from other locations and to produce a series of agreements and administrative acts, while maintaining strict confidentiality during the long months of negotiations.

The Councillor thanked his own senior staff, as well as those of Sport e Salute S.p.A., Grant Dalton, Leslie Ryan and Luis Saenz de Mariscal of America’s Cup Event and, in particular, Minister Andrea Abodi, Sport e Salute CEO Diego Nepi Molineris, and the Mayor of Naples Gaetano Manfredi.

“Sardinia, by its very insular nature, has a deep bond with sailing,” said Cuccureddu. “And it is certainly no coincidence that the first Italian challenge for the America’s Cup was born in Sardinia with Azzurra, or that our island hosts some of the major sailing events including several world championship events.

“Nor is it accidental that Luna Rossa chose Cagliari as its base, or that Olympic iQFOiL gold medallist Marta Maggetti grew up racing in these waters.

“We are certain,” the Tourism Councillor concluded, “that hosting the first Preliminary Regatta of the world’s oldest sporting competition will have an important impact in terms of promoting the tourist image of our region, and that Sardinia, in 2026, has been named Best Destination in Travel by Lonely Planet.”

After welcome speeches by the President of the Sardinian Port System Authority Domenico Bagalà, the Mayor of Cagliari Massimo Zedda and the Comandante Marittimo della Sardegna e di Presidio Interforze, Amm.

Enrico Pacioni, and the Comandante Generale del Corpo delle Capitanerie di Porto – Guardia Costiera, Amm. Sergio Liardo, the floor went to the CEO of Sport e Salute, Diego Nepi Molineris who commented, “The ‘Road to Naples’ begins in Cagliari, the starting point of a historic journey that will bring the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup to Italy for the first time.

In the Gulf of Angels, Sardinia hosts the first Preliminary Regatta, confirming Cagliari as an international leader in sailing, innovation and sustainability, as well as the home of Luna Rossa’s operational base – an excellence admired worldwide.”

“Cagliari’s role is no coincidence. Thanks to exceptional wind and sea conditions, a strong international reputation and a well-established sporting legacy, the city had already been identified in 2015 as the venue for the sailing events in Rome’s 2024 Olympic bid, followed by further opportunities in 2020 and 2023 that ultimately did not come to fruition. A journey that today, instead, delivers a concrete result.”

Ray Davies, Chief Coach for Emirates Team New Zealand, is acutely aware of what could be instore, saying, “We’ve looked at all the recon videos from when Luna Rossa were training there ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup and that was some of the best sailing we ever saw in the build-up.

“We could see a nice NW flat water mistral breeze or a solid thermal onshore breeze with a bit of chop or a SE breeze from Africa which can kick up some good waves so we can expect some excellent racing conditions. Everyone is going to be watching the data in the lead up to Cagliari and we’ll certainly be looking at our heavier air performances here in Auckland for sure.”

For the first Preliminary Regatta in Cagliari, Sardinia, all the teams have the option to field two AC40 yachts with the second boat being crewed by a mix of Youth & Women team members. It’s an extraordinary pathway opportunity for the next generation of America’s Cup sailors to not only get vital fleet racing experience in the AC40’s but also to start building towards the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup events that are on the horizon in Naples in 2027.

Grant Dalton, CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, thinks that upsets could be on the cards, stating, “From what we are seeing internally there is very little to choose between what you might call the ‘established’ sailors from the newcomers.

We also know that the other teams have incredible depths of talent in their Youth & Women’s teams so I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see the fleet racing completely mixed and some of those next-gen talents taking big scalps. Cagliari will be incredibly interesting from a sporting perspective.”

In addition to the often-seen Mistral conditions, another phenomenon blows into the Bay of Angels and along the Poetto Beach in the form of the Sirocco wind that comes up from the south-east and the south-south-east usually with a much longer form wave pattern than the sharp chop of the Mistral.

The Sirocco is what many call ‘dream conditions’ for foiling and where the AC40 yachts in a steady 18 to 20 knots of breeze could hit speeds topping 45 knots. Ray Davies is certainly hoping so: “those are the glamour conditions that usually produce clearer skies and if we get that, Cagliari will be a spectacle.”

The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup represents not only a sporting competition, but a project for development, growth of the blue economy and territorial enhancement, delivering lasting benefits. This achievement has been made possible by the decisive support of the Italian Government, Minister Abodi, the institutions involved and the Region of Sardinia, who believed from the outset in a vision capable of placing Italy at the centre of the international stage.”

The President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Alessandra Todde, emphasised the importance of events of this calibre for the capital city and for Sardinia as a whole.

“Being here today at Molo Ichnusa, in the base where the Luna Rossa team has occupied for twelve years, together with the organisers of the America’s Cup, means supporting an opportunity of extraordinary value not only for Cagliari, but for the whole of Sardinia.

“Hosting the inaugural event of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup represents international recognition of our island as an ideal location for high-level sailing, thanks to a unique racecourse, exceptional natural conditions, and a long sporting and maritime tradition. This event is much more than a sporting event: it is a global showcase that allows us to broadcast and promote Cagliari and Sardinia to the world, showcasing its sea, landscapes, organisational skills, and deep connection with nautical culture.

“It is also a sign of an investment that looks to the future, because events of this calibre generate development, strengthen sports tourism, and contribute to balancing out tourism flows, creating new opportunities for the region and local communities.”

Closing the series of institutional speeches was the Italian Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi who added, “We are proud not only to host the America’s Cup in Italy, in Naples, but that the journey already begins in the middle of this year in the Italian waters of Cagliari.

“It was an obvious choice, and it rewards the great commitment that was made.

“This is an iconic place for sailing, home of Luna Rossa, which we helped select as the venue for the first Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.

This choice confirms the recognition of Italy’s sailing tradition and offers the opportunity to further promote and grow appreciation for this fascinating sport, inspiring new generations as well as giving further impetus to sports tourism in this wonderful region.

“Italy will once again be at the centre of the world, as a protagonist, through sport and international events.”

In the presence of the authorities and the assembled media, the officials of America’s Cup Event, Leslie Ryan and Luis Saenz de Mariscal, then presented the technical details of the event and the complex organisational machine, supported by an emotional video, which has already started operating in Sardinia in order to be ready for the event in May.

Leslie Ryan, Event Director commented, “Planning is already well advanced here in Cagliari, Sardinia to deliver a spectacular event this coming May.

With a racecourse in the Bay of Angels visible from the land for spectators, a central Race Village packed with content and large screens that will be set up along the port accessible to all, an action packed four-day programme is promised.”

A further Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup presentation event will take place in less than a week in Naples, on 21 January 2026, which promises to update on more details about the event and teams.

Further details about the exact format and starting times of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Sardinia will be released in due course by the Regatta Director and will be available online.

Details about the Race Village and both onshore and on-water viewing opportunities for fans in Cagliari will also be announced closer to the regatta.

americascup.com