The countdown is on to the second Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup, with nine AC40 teams set to race in Naples from 25-27 September.
Just two months remain until the foiling fleet returns to competition following the opening Preliminary Regatta in Sardinia. Since then, teams have intensified their training programmes as preparations gather pace for one of the final competitive tests before the 38th America's Cup.
A major addition to the Naples line-up will be American Racing Challenger Team USA, which will make its Preliminary Regatta debut after confirming a one-boat entry.
The American squad has been conducting intensive two-boat training from its Pensacola, Florida base. Crew selection has yet to be confirmed.
Led by chief executive Ken Read, a former America's Cup skipper and multiple world champion, alongside head of sailing Giles Scott, the double Olympic gold medallist, the Americans are expected to provide a strong challenge.
Luna Rossa Remains the Benchmark
Luna Rossa enters the Naples regatta as the team to beat after an impressive display on home waters in Sardinia.
British challenger GB1 and Athena Pathway have continued their preparations in Cagliari, while Defender Emirates Team New Zealand has completed training in Auckland before relocating to Naples with both its Principal Team and Women & Youth Team AC40s.
TUDOR Team Alinghi has been training in Barcelona under Paul Goodison, while France's La Roche-Posay Racing Team has continued its programme from Lorient under skipper Quentin Delapierre.
Team Australia, although confirmed for the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup campaign, will not compete in Naples.
Women & Youth Teams Add Extra Interest
One of the standout features of the Sardinia regatta was the competitiveness of several Women & Youth crews.
Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa and Athena Pathway will again field development teams capable of challenging their senior counterparts after claiming race victories during the opening event.
Winner-Takes-All Final
Practice racing begins on Thursday 24 September.
Fleet racing starts on Friday 25 September with three races scheduled from 14:13 CEST, one hour earlier than in Sardinia.
Three further fleet races are planned for Saturday, followed by two on Sunday morning.
The top two teams after the fleet series will advance to a single, winner-takes-all match race to decide the Naples Preliminary Regatta champion.
Race Village Opens to the Public
Naples' waterfront will host a free Official Race Village throughout the event.
Visitors can watch dock-out and dock-in ceremonies, team presentations, live race coverage on giant screens, entertainment, merchandise and hospitality areas. Via Francesco Caracciolo will also be closed to traffic to provide additional viewing space for spectators.
The Bay of Naples is expected to offer excellent viewing both ashore and from designated on-water spectator areas as the AC40 fleet races at speeds exceeding 40 knots.
