America's Cup Recon: Has Luna Rossa reached a turning point?

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 14 Jul 17:09 PDT

Italian Challenger Luna Rossa has put in three good sailing days, in moderate to fresh breezes off the team base in Cagliari, Sardinia.

Sailing their AC75, while others train in the AC40 One Designs in Naples, the three sessions went almost without a hitch, as the team continues to consolidate and build momentum towards the America's Cup Match in 12 months.

The team is sailing their AC75, using the same components - all from the 2024 America's Cup - right through the now 10 days of sailing, against their 49 day quota through to January 15, 2027, when the sailing day quotas get refreshed.

The only change made to the components is the swap-in of a "new" legacy rudder.

It is probably no coincidence that the team is training in the exact 12-month window leading up to the 2027 America's Cup, which runs from July 10-18, 2027, in Naples.

Having passed the ten-day milestone, Luna Rossa is probably at a turning point in their campaign. Emirates Team New Zealand went through a similar "commissioning" phase for the first ten days of their AC38 program, before moving into development mode. We can now expect to see Luna Rossa head down the same leg, having rounded the "commissioning" turning mark.

This commissioning phase is vital not only to establishing crew combinations and sailing routines, but also to gathering performance data from the boat, which can be compared with the 2024 performance data before moving into the changed configuration for 2027.

The three teams are currently sailing AC75's. France is sidelined temporarily following their Day 4 capsize. However, Emirates Team NZ and Luna Rossa are on similar trajectories. Both are shaking down new sailing squads and are rotating some of the sailing crew. Both are sailing with components, first registered/launched from the 2024 America's Cup. Most of the on-board systems will be new, reflecting a further advance into the mechatronic world, coupled with the shift from manual power to battery power, to pressurise the hydraulic systems.

In the next phase, we can expect to see a mix of "old" legacy parts, "new " legacy parts (2024 components that have been modified) and genuine new designs and constructions, in respect of sails, and bits below the waterline. Australia is the exception and can use all genuine new gear. France is allowed one new racing spar.

Interestingly, Luna Rossa is still sailing with the foil arm make-up corrector weights from the 2024 campaign. One of the signs that Italy will have shifted from commissioning to the development phase will be the removal of those corrector weights, as the AC75 drops to the new sailing weight prescribed for the 2027 America's Cup, which will start in 10 months, in the third week of May 2027, with the Match itself starting on July 10.

Luna Rossa - Day 10, July 13, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia.

Recon Unit Report: Luna Rossa - Day 10, July 13, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia

Crew List:

• Port Helm: Marco Gradoni/Ruggero Tita
• Starboard Helm: Peter Burling (NZL)
• Port Trimmer: Umberto Molineris (ITA)/ Gigi Ugolini (ITA)
• Starboard Trimmer: Vittorio Bissaro (ITA)
• Positions 5 & 6: Maria Giubilei ( Port) Gabriele Di Trapani (Stbd)

Wind & Sea Conditions:

• 1205hrs Wind: 120°: 12-14kts;
• 1410hrs Wind: 130°: 14-16kts;
• 1540hrs Wind 120°: 15-16kts
• Sea State: Significant chop

Dock Out:1120hrs
Dock In: 1620hrs
Time sailed: 5hrs
Foiling time: 128mins

Recon Report – Sailing Day 10 - 13th June 2026

As the mast rolled out at 8:55, the following was noted: new main hooks on masthead, a new GoPro pointing downwards on port side of masthead, and one camera pointing downwards just above the starboard spreaders. To be confirmed: possible changes to the Cunningham (mainsail luff downhaul) systems. On the stbd wing, both GoPros were still mounted at mid-section, pointing toward the bulb. The mast rake seemed to have been increased slightly, to be confirmed with measurements.

The boat was craned in at 9:33 and dock-out was scheduled for 10:00. The starting crew consisted of Marco Gradoni (helm), Gigi Ugolini (trim), and Maria Giubilei (5th) on port, and Peter Burling (helm), Vittorio Bissaro (trim), and an engineer (several rotated) (6th) on starboard. Later in the day, Ruggero Tita swapped with Marco Gradoni, and Umberto Molineris with Gigi Ugolini, who also swapped sides with Vittorio Bissaro.

The forecast showed a medium-range breeze closer to shore in the bay, up to 15 kts, with medium chop from the SE. Before leaving the harbour, the newest mainsail, M2-1, was hoisted at 10:30 and paired with the newest J3-1, the latter featuring a new reinforcement on tack stbd side. Two GoPros were mounted on the transom for rudder observation, and one on the bow pointing towards the jib.

The first session started at 10:49 with a tow-to-foil by chase boat. The yacht sailed very long boards and headed along the coast until Sarroch. The breeze was still up when the yacht started practicing a series of bear-aways and round-ups. On the first downwind of the day, the yacht gybed and turned up on two boards, stopping closer to the shore of Perdesali. The breeze was much lighter here, 6–8 kts, and hence J3-1 was lowered to hoist the newest jib J1/J1.5. The team had planned to reach these coastlines to find some lighter air and test this sail.

The second session began with an attempted self take-off on stbd tack, which unfolded into a displacement tack to port for more breeze ahead towards Pula. Once foil-borne, with a take-off speed of 16–17 kts, the yacht sailed upwind and tacked onto stbd tack. Throughout the day, crew members were again seen checking the jib and main tracks while sailing.

Additional bear-aways and round-ups were practiced before finally bearing away for some downwind manoeuvring and stopping at 12:08. RU was then asked by the team to handover Recon RIB for lunch pickup at the base in Cagliari. RU was invited to board the secondary chase boat to continue the observation for the next 40 minutes.

The breeze was now 7–9 kts. Back foil-borne at 12:25 for the third session, the yacht started sailing upwind for an intense series of tacks before bearing away on starboard tack for the same number of gybes, some of these in very quick succession without any major mistakes. As the yacht rounded up, it completed a couple of tacks before stopping at 12:44. The breeze had increased and the team decided to lower J1/J1.5 and rehoist J3-1. The Recon Unit RIB was then returned to the Recon Unit base.

For the fourth session, another self take-off occurred, this time on stbd tack, and the yacht headed offshore of Cagliari where the breeze was again around 15 kts. Additional bear-aways and round-ups were executed before heading further offshore upwind. Due to the rough chop and stronger breeze, RU struggled quite a bit to keep up with the boat to gather usable footage in safety. The yacht stopped for a longer while at 13:36 due to an issue, the nature of which was unclear, which ended up cutting the sailing day short. By 14:40, the boat was being towed into the harbour after approximately 102 minutes of foiling time, completing 19 tacks and 13 gybes.

Luna Rossa - Day 9, July 10, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia.

Recon Unit Report Luna Rossa - Day 9, July 10, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia

Crew List:

• Port Helm: Marco Gradoni/Ruggero Tita
• Starboard Helm: Peter Burling (NZL)
• Port Trimmer: Umberto Molineris (ITA)/ Gigi Ugolini (ITA)
• Starboard Trimmer: Vittorio Bissaro (ITA)
• Positions 5 & 6: Maria Giubilei ( Port) Gabriele Di Trapani (Stbd)

Wind & Sea Conditions:

• 1205hrs Wind: 120°: 12-14kts;
• 1410hrs Wind: 130°: 14-16kts;
• 1540hrs Wind 120°: 15-16kts
• Sea State: Significant chop

Dock Out:1120hrs
Dock In: 1620hrs
Time sailed: 5hrs
Foiling time: 128mins

Recon Report – Sailing Day 9 - 10th June 2026

The Italian boat rolled out at 10:15. Two GoPros were mounted on the starboard wing mid-section, pointing toward the bulb. The mast was quickly stepped and dock-out scheduled for 11:20. Once again, it seemed that sailors' and FCS checks were not carried out at the dock.

The starting crew consisted of Ruggero Tita (helm), Gigi Ugolini (trim), and Maria Giubilei (5th) on port, and Peter Burling (helm), Vittorio Bissaro (trim), and Gabriele Di Trapani (draftsman engineer) (6th) on starboard. Later in the day, Ruggero Tita swapped with Marco Gradoni, and Umberto with Gigi Ugolini. The newest mainsail, M2-1, was paired with the newest J3-1.

New hardware on main leech for batten attachment was noted while hoisting. Both sails were used all day, some wrinkles were noted on the main foot while J3-1 was still luffing at the foot. At 12:05, the breeze was measured at 12–14 kts from 125°, and the sea state was rough, with a short and steep chop of approximately 0.7 m. It was a quite challenging day for all chase boats, which were unable to follow the yacht properly. RU was forced to anticipate the boat's course to gather better footage.

The first session only lasted a couple of minutes as the boat came to a stop after tacking from starboard to port tack. The mainsail was lowered to reach stbd batten number 2, hidden by the red Prada logo. Sailors and sailmakers worked on it with tools, although it was unclear what had happened exactly. Nothing major, as the mainsail was then quickly rehoisted to resume sailing. Back foilborne by 12:48, the yacht sailed upwind, executed some fully foiling tacks before bearing away on port tack, and went for some gybes.

As the team's chase boat struggled to keep up, the yacht sailed around the race course of the preliminary regatta. Overall, the sailing was consistent with very few mistakes, even downwind, with more ride height and leeward heel. After approximately 30 minutes of sailing, the yacht came to a stop by the chase boats for a quick break.

The second session began with the usual light tow by the primary chase boat and unfolded with some longer boards upwind and downwind, running through some modes. A mistake exiting a JK on the last downwind interrupted the foil ride, forcing the yacht hullborne with a significant leeward heel. Back foilborne shortly after by self take-off, the boat kept sailing some additional diamonds. At 14:05, batteries were swapped, GoPro cameras on the starboard wing were removed, and the sailors rotated. The breeze was now 13–16 kts from 130° with further increasing sea state.

A longer lunch break followed for the team. Back foilborne at 14:55, the yacht sailed upwind with some more manoeuvres. The success rate of manoeuvring seemed reduced, with more mistakes and more touch-and-gos, and less control compared to before the sail break, perhaps due to the increased breeze and sea state. On some fast downwind legs, the yacht seemed to skim through the sea state with occasionally significant ride height and very little rudder immersion left, especially on starboard tack, considering the slight offset between wave and pressure. After another 30-minute ride, the boat stopped sailing at 15:25.

For the fourth session, the boat was back foilborne at 15:40, with the breeze now increased to 17 kts. The team focused on intense pre-start routines, including complex manoeuvres such as full circles, two- and one-board bear-aways, tack bear-aways, double tacks, and double gybes within a confined area and short sequence. Occasionally, some legs were sailed and, besides a significant rudder ventilation exiting one tack, the boat seemed very successful in aggressive manoeuvring. By 16:20, the boat entered the harbour and stopped, having accumulated approximately 128 minutes of foiling time, completing 29 tacks and 32 gybes.

Luna Rossa - Day 8, July 8, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia.

Luna Rossa - Day 8, July 8, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia.

Crew List:

• Port Helm: Marco Gradoni/Ruggero Tita
• Starboard Helm: Peter Burling (NZL)
• Port Trimmer: Umberto Molineris (ITA)
• Starboard Trimmer: Gigi Ugolini (ITA)
• Positions 5 & 6: Maria Giubilei ( Port) Ruggero Tita (Stbd)

Wind & Sea Conditions:

• 1205hrs Wind: 120°: 12-14kts;
• 1410hrs Wind: 130°: 14-16kts;
• 1540hrs: 120°: 15-16kts
• Sea State: Significant chop

• Dock Out:1120hr - Dock In: 1620hrs

• Time sailed: 5hrs - Foiling time: 128mins

Recon Report – Sailing Day 8 - 8th July 2026

The Italian boat rolled out at 8:05 as the mast was already hooked to the crane. Possible work had been done on the rudder, around the junction between the grey and black paint. The camera housings at mid wings were removed from suction side on both wings. A new Starlink device was mounted behind the third pod on port. Once the mast was stepped, the boat was craned in by 8:30.

The mainsheeting system appeared different compared to the previous version. This aligns with the new launched mainsail. At the dock, technicians focused on mast rotation calibration before dock-out, scheduled for 9:30.

The plan seemed to take advantage of the offshore Maestrale breeze and the flat sea state before encountering some chop with the seabreeze in the early afternoon. In the larger bay, wind conditions were quite shifty and patchy due to the interference between the offshore Maestrale and the onshore Scirocco.

The starting crew consisted of Marco Gradoni (helm), Umberto Molineris (trim), and Maria Giubilei (5th) on port, and Peter Burling (helm), Vittorio Bissaro (trim), and Thina Win (sailing systems engineer) (6th) on starboard. Later in the day, Ruggero Tita swapped with Marco Gradoni, Gigi Ugolini replaced Vittorio Bissaro, and Stephane Chatel (mechanical engineer) replaced Maria Giubilei.

The breeze was 10–12 kts from 315° with a flat sea state. The new mainsail, M2-1, was being locked into the mast track and paired with the new J3-1 jib. Technicians spent quite some time connecting the mainsheeting system. While the mainsail was being hoisted, the RU RIB was sitting aft of the AC75 transom. The LR chase boat obstructed a clear view of the yacht, positioning itself between the boat and the RU RIB on several occasions.

The first session started at 10:57 with the usual light initial tow by the primary chase boat. Once foilborne on starboard tack, the boat seemed to be pushed bow-up on the rudder, exceeding in water spray. Once locked in, the boat bore away and a longer downwind board on starboard tack followed. A final roundup initiated the second diamond, which concluded at 11:15. As the second session began but an issue prevented the team from sailing properly. Ride height and pitch looked unstable, and the boat came to a stop for debugging concluding no major issue.

As the day warmed up, the offshore Maestrale gradually eased to 8–10 kts and the J3-1 was lowered and then rehoisted. At 11:43 the boat was foilborne again for the third session, mostly sailing in lighter air and perhaps slightly underpowered with the J3-1. Besides one major bow-down dip exiting a gybe, the boat seemed quite consistent maneuvering through the breeze, which dropped to 6–8 kts. Board rise exiting gybes appeared slightly quicker compared to the last sailing day in similar conditions. The foot of the jib was noted to be luffing on several occasions. Crew members were seen walking on deck while foiling, checking on the mainsheeting system and mast base. Once the boat came to a stop, the mainsail and jib were lowered, and the team took a lunch break while awaiting the seabreeze to finally fill in.

At 13:44 the boat was towed south to anticipate the arrival of the seabreeze, a solid 11–12 kts from 180°. Once the towline was spiked, the boat sailed shorter diamonds before heading offshore of Sarroch, finding less breeze and more sea state, approximately 0.5 m of short-period swell. Several maneuvers were executed before stretching the boards upwind and finally bearing away. The boat then executed a series of gybes, the last ones even back-to-back with only a couple of seconds between them. On the straight downwind boards, the rudder seemed less immersed with a solid bow-down pitch.

Additional complex maneuvers were then practiced, including a full circle, aggressive bear-aways and roundups and back-to-back gybes before stopping the boat at 14:30. Overall, this was another decommissioning day for the team, focused on the aero package, concluding with approximately 123 minutes of foiling time and completing 28 tacks and 26 gybes.