THE RACE IS TRULY ON
After the summer break, Emirates Team New Zealand are back on the water, resuming two-boat testing and training sessions. What began as practice is quickly sharpening into performance focus, with the confirmation of Cagliari, Sardinia, as the Host Venue for the first Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, to be sailed from 21–24 May 2026. The regatta will offer the first clear measure of how training, systems and sailing roles are coming together under race conditions.
The announcement marks the official start of the Road to Naples 2027. Racing in the Gulf of Angels will be the first opportunity of the new cycle for teams to line up head-to-head and assess performance on the racecourse, setting an early benchmark ahead of the main event in Naples–the highly anticipated Match has been confirmed to start on 10 July 2027.
The return of the Preliminary Regatta series builds on a highly successful programme ahead of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, where tight, high-intensity racing in Vilanova i la Geltrú, Jeddah, and Barcelona proved invaluable. Emirates Team New Zealand claimed victories in Jeddah and Barcelona, and finished runner-up in Vilanova, highlighting the role these events play as both performance tests and pressure environments.
Racing in Cagliari will follow a demanding format: multiple fleet races across the opening days, followed by a winner-takes-all final match race between the top two teams. All competitors will race one-design foiling AC40s, with the option to field a second boat crewed by Women’s and Youth America’s Cup sailors. Racing two boats allows the team to trial combinations, refine communication and decision-making, and give emerging sailors valuable race experience.
Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei welcome the founding teams to the newly formed America's Cup Partnership at the formal presentation in Naples, 21 January 2026.
AMERICA’S CUP PARTNERSHIP AND TEAMS PRESENTATION
Off the water, January also saw the formal recognition of the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) at the Teams Presentation in Naples. The occasion was marked by a powerful cultural welcome led by Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei, representing the Defender, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Emirates Team New Zealand. The presentation of pounamu taonga to the founding teams symbolised strength, shared heritage, and a collective commitment to the future of the America’s Cup.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
SAILING CREW ADDITION
The sailing squad was further strengthened with the addition of Iain ‘Goobs’ Jensen, who brings a wealth of high-performance sailing experience to Emirates Team New Zealand. From gold and silver in the 49er class at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games with Skipper Nathan Outteridge, to the heat of America’s Cup racing over numerous campaigns, Goobs has slotted into the team effortlessly and looking forward to the road to the 38th America's Cup in Naples.
Emirates' A380 flying over Auckland – supporting Emirates Team New Zealand for over 20 years.
EMIRATES RENEWS TITLE SPONSOR COMMITMENT
Closing out the month, Emirates renewed its long-standing naming rights sponsorship of Emirates Team New Zealand, extending one of the most enduring partnerships in international sailing through the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup and all Preliminary Regattas.
With racing venues confirmed, training intensifying, and the team continuing to evolve on and off the water, the pathway to Naples is now firmly underway.
