America's Cup: A light 7- 8kt wind forecast for Day 3 in Sardinia
by Richard Gladwell/Sail-World.com/nz 24 May 05:49 PDT
Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ - Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup - Preliminary Regatta Sardinia Race Day 2 - May 23, 2026 © Ivo Rovira / America's Cup
The official forecast for Day 3 of the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta - Sardinia, is for a southerly breeze of 9-16kts.
However PredictWind.com shows that the offshore breeze, which has been hanging outside the course is not in today and is almost insignificant and forecasts winds at 8kts, just above the 7kt minimum for racing.
Racing is expected to get underway at 1313hrs UTC or 1513hrs local time in Cagliari. The PredictWind forecast shows the breeze holding for the first hour and then maybe dropping. The PredictWind forecast is significantly different from the official forecast. However yesterday PredictWind did forecast the breeze to lighten through the three races. The teams sailed with the #3 jib dropping down to the #2 and then the #1 jib for Race 6.
The sea state is officially expected to be the same as yesterday - 0.3 metres, or about 1ft.
Eight teams are entered in the event with New Zealand, Great Britain, and Italy entering an Open team and a Youth and Womens team each.
France and Switzerland have entered only one team.
The two latest America's Cup Challengers, USA and Australia have been excused from competing in the first Preliminary Regatta.
All teams will compete in eight scheduled fleet races, with the top two going forward to determine the winner of the first Preliminary Regatta.
Key points of interest will be whether the Luna Rossa Womens and Youth team can dominate in the same way as Day 1 and 2. They are currently on top of the leaderboard with 29pts.
Live stream:
Race Day 3 Live:
The second Preliminary Regatta will be held in Naples in late September.