{"id":779,"date":"2026-05-19T14:43:34","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:43:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yachtersworld.com\/?p=779"},"modified":"2026-05-19T14:43:34","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T14:43:34","slug":"americas-cup-preliminary-regatta-the-38th-ac-cycle-is-set-to-begin-this-weekend","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yachtersworld.com\/?p=779","title":{"rendered":"America\u2019s Cup Preliminary Regatta: The 38th AC cycle is set to begin this weekend"},"content":{"rendered":"

The 38th America’s Cup will officially kick off this coming weekend with five teams set to compete in foiling AC40s in Cagliari, Sardinia<\/strong><\/p>\n

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AC40s ahead of the America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Photo: Ugo Fonoll\u00e1\/America\u2019s Cup<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The opening event of the 38th America\u2019s Cup<\/a> cycle is set to take place this weekend 21-24 May 2026 in Cagliari, Sardinia, marking the start of the racing schedule ahead of the main America\u2019s Cup match proper in 2027.<\/p>\n

The regatta will see five teams face off on the Gulf of Cagliari. And while the event operates independently of the the AC itself in 2027, it provides the first competitive look at the current teams and their early-stage crew combinations\u2026 mostly.<\/p>\n

The biggest America\u2019s Cup news of recent weeks has been the official confirmation of and Australian America\u2019s Cup challenger<\/a> for the first time in over 25 years. However, so new is this challenge, they will not be taking part in this fist preliminary regatta.<\/p>\n

Also recently confirmed as an AC8 challenger and also set to miss this regatta is American Racing Challenger Team USA<\/a>. Much like the Aussies, this American Challenge was only confirmed in recent months, too close to this event to be a realistic prospect to compete.<\/p>\n

AC40s and fleet races<\/h2>\n

Unlike the main America\u2019s Cup match, which will utilise AC75<\/a> yachts, this preliminary event is a one-design regatta contested in smaller AC40<\/a> yachts\u00a0 \u2013 a key reason for the Australians not taking part as they have secured an old New Zealand AC75 but do not yet have possession of any AC40s.<\/p>\n

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The British AC team, GB1 training in one of their AC40s. Photo: GB1<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Because these foiling<\/a> platforms are identical and fully equalised, performance will depend strictly on crew work, flight control, and tactical execution rather than design advantages. The four-person crews consist of two helmsmen and two trimmers, with the boats capable of speeds exceeding 40 knots.<\/p>\n

A notable structural update for this cycle is the allowance for teams to enter a second AC40 yacht designated for Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup<\/a> and Youth America\u2019s Cup<\/a> crews. Consequently, an eight-boat fleet is expected on the starting line:<\/p>\n