The 38th America’s Cup will officially kick off this coming weekend with five teams set to compete in foiling AC40s in Cagliari, SardiniaAC40s ahead of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Photo: Ugo Fonoll\u00e1\/America\u2019s CupThe opening event of the 38th America\u2019s Cup cycle is set to take place this weekend 21-24 May 2026 in Cagliari, Sardinia, marking the start of the racing schedule ahead of the main America\u2019s Cup match proper in 2027.
\nThe regatta will see five teams face off on the Gulf of Cagliari. And while the event operates independently of the the AC itself in 2027, it provides the first competitive look at the current teams and their early-stage crew combinations\u2026 mostly.
\nThe biggest America\u2019s Cup news of recent weeks has been the official confirmation of and Australian America\u2019s Cup challenger for the first time in over 25 years. However, so new is this challenge, they will not be taking part in this fist preliminary regatta.
\nAlso recently confirmed as an AC8 challenger and also set to miss this regatta is American Racing Challenger Team USA. Much like the Aussies, this American Challenge was only confirmed in recent months, too close to this event to be a realistic prospect to compete.
\nAC40s and fleet races
\nUnlike the main America\u2019s Cup match, which will utilise AC75 yachts, this preliminary event is a one-design regatta contested in smaller AC40 yachts\u00a0 \u2013 a key reason for the Australians not taking part as they have secured an old New Zealand AC75 but do not yet have possession of any AC40s.
\nThe British AC team, GB1 training in one of their AC40s. Photo: GB1
\nBecause these foiling platforms are identical and fully equalised, performance will depend strictly on crew work, flight control, and tactical execution rather than design advantages. The four-person crews consist of two helmsmen and two trimmers, with the boats capable of speeds exceeding 40 knots.
\nA notable structural update for this cycle is the allowance for teams to enter a second AC40 yacht designated for Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup and Youth America\u2019s Cup crews. Consequently, an eight-boat fleet is expected on the starting line:<\/p>\n
Emirates Team New Zealand: 2 entries (Senior and Women\/Youth)
\nGB1 (Great Britain): 2 entries (Senior and Athena Pathway Women\/Youth)
\nLuna Rossa (Italy): 2 entries (Senior and Women\/Youth)
\nTudor Team Alinghi (Switzerland): 1 entry
\nLa Roche-Posay Racing Team (France): 1 entry<\/p>\n
The venue serves as the long-term training base for the Italian challenger, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, which may afford their crews a degree of local familiarity with the conditions on the Gulf of Cagliari.
\nAC40s fleet racing in the last America\u2019s Cup cycle
\nAmerica\u2019s Cup Preliminary Regatta Schedule
\nAlthough the America\u2019s cup itself is a boat-on-boat match racing competition, the America\u2019s Cup Preliminary regatta structure relies on a dense schedule of fleet racing before transitioning to a match-race format on the final day. This format has been used successfully both in the SailGP and in the Preliminary Regattas during the last America\u2019s Cup cycle.
\nThe format for the regatta is:<\/p>\n
Thursday 21st May: Official Practice Day
\nFriday 22nd May: Up to 3 fleet races
\nSaturday 23rd May: Up to 3 fleet races
\nSunday 24th May: Up to 2 fleet races, followed by a winner-takes-all Match-Race Final between the top two scoring boats from the overall fleet standings.<\/p>\n
While the event is still a few days away, at present the forecasts heading into the weekend present a potential challenge for race organisers.
\nLight winds hampered the racing last cycle at the Preliminary Regatta in Jeddah
\nA large high-pressure system moving over Central Europe is expected to bring temperatures between 28\u201330\u00b0C, a scenario typically associated with light wind patterns at the venue. Under the Sailing Instructions, a minimum wind speed of 7.5 knots is required to conduct racing. If conditions remain marginal, the regatta will likely become a test of low-end foiling efficiency, where maintaining flight in light air could well be the key factor.
\nPostponement of the second preliminary event
\nWhile focus remains on the upcoming racing in Cagliari, amendments have already been made to the broader AC38 schedule. Race Director Iain Murray last week officially confirmed the postponement of the second Preliminary Regatta, which was scheduled to take place in Naples from 25\u201328 June 2026.
\nThe formal notice was released in early May and cited a decision by the ACE Italy and ACP boards following consultations with local venue authorities. No explicit reason was provided for the delay.
\nThe event has not been removed from the cycle; official correspondence indicates that the regatta will be rescheduled in Naples in the future, with revised dates to be distributed to competitors in due course.<\/p>\n
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The 38th America’s Cup will officially kick off this coming weekend with five teams set to compete in foiling AC40s in Cagliari, SardiniaAC40s ahead of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Photo: Ugo Fonoll\u00e1\/America\u2019s CupThe opening event of the 38th America\u2019s … <\/p>\n