Round 1 goes to Luna Rossa in Sardinia

It was a day that a Hollywood scriptwriter would find hard to write, but for the hometown favourites Luna Rossa, it was one of both high elation and brutal disappointment in front of their incredible fans during the first Preliminary Regatta on the ‘Road to Naples’.

Sardinia and the port city of Cagliari hosted the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, with the final day of racing featuring near-perfect conditions on the Bay of Angels, with 10-14 knots of breeze and clear skies. Leading up to the day, much anticipation surrounded Luna Rossa 1, the Women & Youth Team helmed by Marco Gradoni and Margherita Porro, who were expected to secure a place in the Final. However, technical issues hampered their chances, leading to disqualification in the first race due to being called over the line early and not taking the penalty, followed by another OCS in the final fleet race.

This left the senior teams of Luna Rossa and Emirates Team New Zealand to contest the overall title in a winner-takes-all finale. A critical mistake from Nathan Outteridge of Emirates Team New Zealand, just 52 seconds from the start, resulted in an early call over the line, forcing them to drop back while Luna Rossa took the lead. Throughout the race, Luna Rossa demonstrated exceptional tactical skills, ultimately finishing 33 seconds ahead, marking a significant momentum shift in this America’s Cup cycle.

As Umberto Molineris crossed the finish line, fists raised in triumph, the on-water spectator fleet celebrated with honks of recognition for their hometown heroes. Amidst champagne sprays and a ‘Winners’ banner, Peter Burling expressed immense pride in the team’s performance under pressure, acknowledging the challenges faced throughout the week.

Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa, remarked on the bittersweet nature of the victory, reflecting on the missed opportunity to have both teams in the Final. He praised the support from Cagliari and expressed gratitude for the immense turnout during the regatta, describing it as a promising start to the new America’s Cup cycle.

Despite the loss, Nathan Outteridge recognised the lessons learned and the importance of adapting to the match racing format. Marzio Perrelli, Chief Executive Officer of the America’s Cup Partnership, hailed the regatta’s success and set high expectations for the upcoming events in Naples.

During the prizegiving, the Luna Rossa Women & Youth team received their trophy amidst enthusiastic cheers, followed by the senior team celebrating their victory. The regatta in Sardinia showcased high-quality racing and vibrant community engagement, setting a high bar for the next Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta scheduled for Naples in September 2026.