La Roche-Posay Racing Targets Podium in Naples AC40 Regatta

Salt spray hangs in the air over the Bay of Naples as the La Roche-Posay Racing Team prepares for a decisive week. The sleek AC40s slice through choppy blue water, their wing sails catching the coastal breeze with mechanical precision. This is not a casual outing; it is the second preliminary regatta of the 38th America's Cup cycle, a high-stakes test of skill and strategy eight months before the Louis Vuitton Cup begins.

The team has retained the same quartet that finished just four points off the podium in Cagliari last May. Quentin Delapierre and Diego Botín will helm, supported by trimmers Jason Saunders and Florian Trittel. This continuity is deliberate. The crew aims to replicate the momentum they built in Sardinia, where their final day saw them climb to second place among challengers, proving their ability to sharpen their edge under pressure.

Refining the Rhythm on the Water

Since leaving Sardinia, the focus shifted to the larger AC75 in Lorient, but the team returned to the lighter, more responsive AC40 in early September for four days of intense training. The smaller boat demands a different tactile connection, one where the automatic flight control system frees the crew to focus on the nuances of racing. It is about the start, the positioning, and the subtle shifts in tactical decision-making that define a win.

Coach Philippe Mourniac notes that the goal was to regain the technical level reached in Cagliari as quickly as possible. The team practiced in south-westerly thermal breezes, winds that can shift to the west at 8 to 12 knots. These conditions mirror scenarios anticipated for 2027, providing a realistic rehearsal for the future. The crew used these sessions to re-establish shared reference points and gradually increase the intensity, reading the water and each other’s moves with renewed clarity.

A Crowded Start Line in Naples

The regatta will feature nine AC40s representing six teams, creating a dense and competitive field. La Roche-Posay Racing will face the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand, and challengers including Luna Rossa, GB1, and Tudor Team Alinghi. A new entrant, American Racing Challenger Team USA, makes its first appearance in this cycle, adding an unknown variable to the tactical landscape. The presence of top-level competition ensures that every race will be a learning opportunity, both technically and in how the teams interact on the course.

The format further expands the fleet by allowing teams with two AC40s to enter their second boat for Women & Youth squads. These crews will compete in the same races and standings as the senior teams. In Naples, Emirates Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa, and GB1 will each field two boats, while La Roche-Posay Racing, Tudor Team Alinghi, and the American team will enter one. This structure ensures that every hull on the water contributes to the overall narrative of the event, raising the stakes for all participants.

Strategic Depth in a One-Design Class

The AC40 is a one-design boat, meaning the hardware is identical for all teams. The difference lies in the execution. The crew must master the specific rhythm of the boat, leveraging its lighter weight and automated systems to outmaneuver opponents. It is a test of communication and precision, where small errors in timing or positioning can cost valuable points. The team’s ability to build momentum, as seen in Cagliari, will be critical in this crowded field.

As the regatta approaches, the focus shifts from preparation to performance. The team has studied the racecourse and the local wind patterns, ready to apply their insights in real-time competition. The goal is clear: to finish with the same upward trajectory that defined their previous event. With the waters of Naples providing a challenging backdrop, the La Roche-Posay Racing Team is poised to make their mark, one race at a time. As reported by sail-world.com, the stakes are high and the competition is fierce.