America’s Cup: What we do and don’t know about the 38th edition in Naples
The America’s Cup remains a thing of mystery.
After a delay in finalising and signing off the protocol for the 38th edition of the event, to be sailed in Naples, Italy, in 2027, a host of new additions to the Cup arena were confirmed.
Among them is a new governance structure, called the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) and led by an independent chief executive, that allows all competing teams to have a seat at the table in decision-making.
The new cycle is expected to bring more racing, with as many as three preliminary regattas in 2026 and one in early 2027 in which every team will be entitled to enter two AC40 crews – one manned by America’s Cup sailors and another featuring athletes from the Youth and Women’s America’s Cups.
The America’s Cup teams will then step into their AC75s for the final preliminary regatta, to be held in Naples immediately before the beginning of the challenger series in 2027.
The AC75s will have fewer sailors on board, down from eight to five as cyclors are replaced by battery power. Of those five sailors, one has to be a female athlete, while teams are allowed two non-nationals in the sailing crew. There will also be a sixth person on board in the form of a guest racer. A cost cap has been introduced and no existing teams are permitted to build a new hull, while teams that built two masts during the 37th edition of the Cup are not permitted to build a new one.
The regatta proper will be held in Naples in the European summer of 2027, with the event moving into two-year cycles.
As far as the “what?” of the regatta goes, there is plenty of information available.
The “who?” and some of the “where?” of the cycle, however, is a slightly murkier body of water.
The new ACP took over the governance of the regatta at the start of November, but there has been no indication as to whether the chief executive role has been filled yet. An appointment is expected before the end of 2025 and Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton continues to ensure preparations remain on track in the meantime. The ACP is in charge of running the preliminary regattas, with dates and locations for these yet to be announced.
There is also no certainty yet in terms of which teams will be competing.
After the first cut-off for entries on October 31, Team New Zealand has declined to comment on the formal challenges received, aside from that of British Challenger of Record Athena Racing.
Instead, the defender was leaving it to the teams themselves to announce their official place in the regatta. So far, the only noise breaking an eerie silence has been the death knell of American Magic’s 2027 bid.
It is assumed perennial Italian challenger Luna Rossa will again be involved. The team have made a splash in signing former Team NZ sailors Peter Burling and Josh Junior to join their strong core of talent, have been active on the water in their AC40s and are preparing their AC75 for sailing in the new year. It also acts as a home regatta for the team. They have not, however, formally announced their entry into the regatta yet. When contacted by the Herald, the team did not confirm their position but said they would have an update soon.
The Italians are arguably the most intriguing of the challengers, particularly since confirming co-helmsman Francesco Bruni has moved into an off-water role. This comes after Jimmy Spithill announced his retirement after the team’s exit in Barcelona and means they are left needing two new sailors at the helm. Ruggero Tita and Marco Gradoni helmed the team’s AC40 in the preliminary regatta in Saudi Arabia and were competitive. Tita, 33, seems a strong contender to take one of the helming roles. He has been part of the past two campaigns but did not sail with the team and was the inaugural driver for the Italian SailGP Team. He was recently replaced by Kiwi Phil Robertson and would serve in a reserve role for next season. Gradoni, 21, was a co-helm for Luna Rossa’s successful Youth America’s Cup team in Barcelona, alongside Gianluigi Ugolini, and is a three-time optimist world champion. With the eased nationality rules, Burling also becomes an option to take the wheel. A three-time Cup champion with a wealth of knowledge in the AC75, he will be a huge asset to the team regardless of whether he is on the boat or not.
France’s K-Challenge, who competed in the last edition of the Cup under Orient Express Racing Team, are also among the expected challengers but, like Luna Rossa, have not yet confirmed their entry. K-Challenge co-director Stephan Kandler told French outlet Sailorz in September “final regulations” across the protocol, class and racing rules, and “the precise outlines of the America’s Cup Partnership” would dictate if the French would enter or not. They have, however, had their core sailing team out in their AC40 on home waters recently.
Swiss outfit Alinghi are yet to confirm their involvement beyond announcing an “orderly wind-down” of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, the moniker the team competed under in Barcelona. They have since announced they will operate under Alinghi after the sale of Red Bull’s shareholding, but remain an unknown for the Cup, while American Magic have confirmed they won’t be competing.
In terms of new entries, there have been murmurs that Australia could return to the America’s Cup and indications of a second Italian challenge. The final deadline for entries is January 31.
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.