The first Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup officially opened in Cagliari on Thursday, marking the start of racing on the road to Naples 2027. Eight AC40s representing five teams have gathered in Sardinia’s Gulf of Angels for the first competitive benchmark of the new America’s Cup cycle.
Racing follows two days of practice sessions, with fleet racing scheduled across Friday, Saturday and Sunday before a final match race showdown. For the first time in an America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, teams can field two entries simultaneously. Senior crews will race alongside Women’s and Youth teams in separate AC40s.
Emirates Team New Zealand will campaign two boats during the regatta. Nathan Outteridge leads the senior crew alongside Seb Menzies, Iain Jensen and Andy Maloney. The Women’s and Youth crew is skippered by Jake Pye, with Erica Dawson, Josh Armit and Serena Woodall completing the line-up.
Speaking ahead of racing, Outteridge said the event represented an important step for all teams. “It’s really exciting,” he said. “It’s been a while since there’s been an America’s Cup event and to be here lined up in the AC40s is an important step for all the teams.”
Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Nathan Outteridge speaks at the opening press conference ahead of AC40 racing in Cagliari. Photo: Ian Roman
Outteridge also reflected on racing against former Emirates Team New Zealand skipper Peter Burling. “Pete and I have had a great relationship over the last 15 years,” he said. “Now we are racing against each other again. This is really cool.”
Olympic medallist Erica Dawson said the regatta offered valuable experience for the Women’s and Youth sailors. “Our learning curve is just so steep at the moment,” Dawson said. “Every hour on the water, we are learning so much.”
The opening press conference also confirmed the entry of Team Australia Challenge and American Racing Challenger as the sixth and seventh teams for the 38th America’s Cup. Although results in Cagliari will not count towards the 2027 America’s Cup itself, the regatta is expected to provide the first clear indication of team performance and development.
