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The announcement that the first preliminary regatta on the “Road to Naples 2027” for the
Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will be in Cagliari, Sardinia, presents a unique challenge
for the sailors.
With the dates set for May 21-24 this year, during what’s traditionally a transitional time for
the region weather-wise, means that all of the teams will be eyeing the phenomena of both the Mistral and Scirocco winds that can produce interesting and challenging conditions on the Bay of Angels.
the region weather-wise, means that all of the teams will be eyeing the phenomena of both the Mistral and Scirocco winds that can produce interesting and challenging conditions on the Bay of Angels.
Ray Davies, the chief coach for Emirates Team New Zealand, says he’s acutely aware of what could happen.
“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,” he says.
“We could see a nice northwest flat water mistral breeze or a solid thermal onshore breeze
with a bit of chop or a southeast breeze from Africa which can kick up some good waves so
we can expect some excellent racing conditions.
with a bit of chop or a southeast 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.”
looking at our heavier air performances here in Auckland for sure.”
For the first preliminary regatta in Cagliari, Sardinia, all the America’s Cup teams have the
option to field two AC40 yachts with the second boat being crewed by a mix of youth and
women team members.
option to field two AC40 yachts with the second boat being crewed by a mix of youth and
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 AC40s, 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, chief executive of Emirates Team New Zealand, thinks that upsets could be on the cards.
“From what we’re seeing internally there is very little to choose between what you might call the ‘established’ sailors from the newcomers,” he says.
“We also know the other teams have incredible depths of talent in their youth and 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.
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 Scirocco wind that comes up from the
southeast and the south-southeast usually with a much longer form wave pattern than the
sharp chop of the Mistral.
Angels and along the Poetto Beach in the form of the Scirocco wind that comes up from the
southeast and the south-southeast usually with a much longer form wave pattern than the
sharp chop of the Mistral.
The Scirocco is what many call “dream conditions” for foiling and where the AC40 yachts in
a steady 18-20 knots of breeze could hit speeds topping 45 knots.
a steady 18-20 knots of breeze could hit speeds topping 45 knots.
Davies is certainly hoping so, saying: “Those are the glamour conditions that usually produce clearer skies and if we get that, Cagliari will be a spectacle.”
Shoreside, spectators will get a first glimpse of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup with
plenty of activations and fan engagement areas planned.
plenty of activations and fan engagement areas planned.
Cagliari is the home of Luna Rossa, and the welcome is certain to be home-team focussed
with the passionate local Tifosi taking every opportunity to cheer their national team on.
with the passionate local Tifosi taking every opportunity to cheer their national team on.
