America's Cup: Second Preliminary Regatta is postponed for Naples
by Richard Gladwell Sail-World NZ 13 May 17:53 PDT
Naples Fanzone - Louis Vuitton America's Cup Venue - Naples - September 2025 © America's Cup Media
The second Preliminary Regatta for the 38th America's Cup has been postponed on advice from Italian-based event authorities.
In a notice posted on the AC38 Noticeboard by Race Director Iain Murray, he wrote:
"I have received correspondence from ACE Italy, stating that the ACP Board, following consultation with the Host venue, has decided it is not possible for ACP to hold the Naples Preliminary Regatta from 25-28 June 2026."
"As permitted under Protocol Article 11.1, I have therefore accepted the recommendation and postponed the Naples Preliminary Regata."
"The Regatta has been postponed, and the advice indicates that it can be held in Naples in the foreseeable future."
"The dates and details will be provided to Competitors by ACE in accordance with Protocol Article 11.1(b)."
No reason is given for the postponement, but presumably the above is just a formal notification. The dates of the Second Preliminary Regatta had not been publicly announced, however it would have dovetailed nicely with next week's regatta which will take place in Cagliari, Sardinia.
In early statements about the event it was anticipated that teams would be able to move onsite, sail their AC40s on the venue for the 38th America's Cup, from April, and that some would remain and use Naples as their primary sailing base.
The postponement notice, dated May 8, is a little surprising given that, as recently as April 28, the Mayor of Naples gave a very positive update on progress with the infrastructure at Bagnoli and was interviewed by the leading newspaper Il Mattino:
"We're working very hard; the teams are arriving in Naples to inspect the site because they'll be moving soon. Everything is proceeding with great commitment from everyone," said Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi, responding to a question about the work for the 2027 America's Cup, which will see the boats launch as early as the summer of 2026 for the pre-regatta.
Seven teams have entered the 38th America's Cup for which only the Match dates have been announced being July 10-18th, 2027. The dates for the Louis Vuitton Cup, or Challenger Selection Series have not been announced. Late Entries closed at the end of March.