EXCLUSIVE: 2027 38th America's Cup Naples In-Depth Behind The Scenes Look by the World on Water

Across the Bay of Naples beneath the profile of Mount Vesuvius, the road toward the 38th America’s Cup began taking shape as the world’s premier hydrofoiling teams converged on Southern Italy. Covered by World On Water, the report tracks the technical and tactical battle lines being drawn for the 2027 championship following preliminary regattas in Sardinia and Naples.

First contested in 1851 around the Isle of Wight, the competition for the oldest trophy in international sport returns to European waters. Seven campaigns have entered the 38th cycle—one defending champion and six challengers—facing major shifts in foiling design, automated systems, and crew composition ahead of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Preliminary Regattas in Sardinia and Naples

The journey to the 38th America’s Cup commenced in Sardinia in May 2026, where teams raced in identical AC40 foiling yachts. Operating in strict one-design trim, these regattas isolated crew execution, tactical communication, and maneuvers under match race pressure. Italian challenger Luna Rossa signaled early form by winning the Sardinia preliminary regatta, defeating defending champion Emirates Team New Zealand in the final match race.

Racing transitioned to the actual match venue from 24 to 27 September 2026 for the Naples preliminary regatta. Nine AC40 yachts representing six teams competed alongside youth and women’s squads. Steered by Peter Burling and Marco Gradoni with trimmers Maria Giubilei and Gianluigi Ugolini, Luna Rossa won four of the eight fleet races before defeating Emirates Team New Zealand in the final match race.

Emirates Team New Zealand secured second place, while France’s La Roche-Posay Racing Team displayed raw speed tempered by two capsizes. American Racing Challenger Team USA scored an encouraging race victory, while British and Swiss syndicates faced difficult moments finding consistency.

Engineering the AC75 Foiling Monohulls

While preliminary events utilized AC40s, the 2027 championship will be decided on custom AC75 monohulls. These 75-foot yachts ride on twin hydrofoils, lifting entirely out of the water to eliminate displacement drag:

“To understand the America’s Cup, you have to understand the boats. And the AC75 is one of the most extraordinary racing yachts ever developed.”

Once airborne, the 75-foot monohulls exceed speeds of 50 knots. Achieving stability requires balancing hydrofoil lift and drag. Foil wing curvature, area, and rake determine takeoff speed and maneuverability; excessive lift induces instability, while insufficient lift causes hulls to touch down.

Flight control systems require managing pitch, roll, and ride height across fluctuating wind speed and wave states. The latest generation replaces human grinding power with battery-powered control systems, reshaping crew physical demands:

“For Naples 2027, the AC75 crew will consist of five sailors with at least one female sailor required in each racing crew.”

With five sailors aboard, crew coordination during high-speed transitions becomes the critical factor in match racing:

“The fastest boat is not necessarily the boat with the greatest theoretical top speed. It is the boat that can accelerate quickly, maintain stable flight, execute maneuvers efficiently, and sail the shortest possible distance at the highest sustainable average speed.”

The Seven Contenders: Defenders and Challengers

Seven yacht club campaigns are confirmed for the 38th America’s Cup, each bringing distinct engineering resources and sporting leadership:

Emirates Team New Zealand (Defender, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron): Modern America’s Cup history has been defined by the Kiwis, with victories in 1995, 2000, 2017, 2021, and 2024. Entering the 2027 defense, Australian Olympic gold medalist Nathan Outteridge plays a central leadership role, bringing foiling, multihull, and SailGP experience.

Luna Rossa (Circolo della Vela Remo e della Vela Italia): Luna Rossa reached the match final in 2000, 2007, and 2021. With former New Zealand Cup-winning skipper Peter Burling partnering with young Italian helm Marco Gradoni, the team enters 2027 having won preliminary regattas in Sardinia and Naples.

GB1 (Challenger of Record, Royal Yacht Squadron): Representing the 1851 club from the Isle of Wight, Great Britain continues its pursuit of its first Cup victory. Led by Sir Ben Ainslie, the syndicate features 49er Olympic gold medalist Dylan Fletcher at the helm alongside the Athena Pathway program.

Alinghi (Société Nautique de Genève): Alinghi won the America’s Cup in 2003 and defended in 2007 before returning in Barcelona in 2024. Supported by Tudor, the Swiss campaign features British Olympic champion Paul Goodison as they refine foil development and crew consistency.

La Roche-Posay Racing Team (Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez): Built around the French K-Challenge group and Quentin Delapierre, this syndicate demonstrated high pace during the Naples preliminary regatta, working to eliminate errors and capsizes ahead of AC75 racing.

American Racing Challenger Team USA (Sail Newport): Representing the nation that held the trophy for 132 years following 1851, the American challenge acquired the AC75 Patriot and two AC40s. Directed by Ken Read with Olympic gold medalist Giles Scott, the roster includes Harry Melges IV and Lucas Calabrese.

Team Australia (Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club Sydney): Australia returns to the Cup led by Olympic champion and SailGP skipper Tom Slingsby. Supported by 1983 Australia II veteran Grant Simmer and Glenn Ashby, the roster features Luke Parkinson, Tash Bryant, Tom Needham, Jason Waterhouse, Sam Newton, and Kinley Fowler.

Tactical Demands of the Bay of Naples

Unlike remote ocean courses, the Bay of Naples positions the racecourse directly along the city waterfront beneath Mount Vesuvius. The coastal topography introduces complex tactical variables for navigators:

“The Bay of Naples can experience a variety of conditions influenced by the surrounding coastline, the volcanic geography, and the wider Mediterranean weather systems.”

Thermal sea breezes, gradient winds, and localized shoreline pressure differences mean that choosing the favored side of the course can determine race outcomes. Because AC75 foilers travel at speeds above 50 knots, small shifts in wind velocity amplify lead changes within seconds.

Schedule and Regatta Milestones

The competition structure differs from typical regattas:

“Unlike many international sporting competitions, the defending champion does not have to compete through the challenger selection series. Emirates Team New Zealand is already guaranteed a place in the final match.”

The six challengers must first duel in the Louis Vuitton Cup, starting on the 22nd of May, 2027 with AC75 fleet racing in Naples before transitioning to one-on-one match race eliminations. By the 4th of July, 2027, the challenger will be decided. The winner faces Emirates Team New Zealand in the 38th America’s Cup match beginning on the 10th of July, 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions