The document for the 38th America’s Cup, to be held in Naples in 2027, was unveiled yesterday morning. And its contents are, in the words of the Kiwi Defender, “seismic”. Indeed, the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup provides for “equality of authority between all participants” under the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) label. Cost control is a key concern. The AC38 has a budget ceiling of 75 million euros, with adjustments for the 39th edition. On the technical side, teams will have to keep their hulls. Newcomers will only be able to build hulls based on a pre-existing design. With the boat now loaded with energy, the crew will be reduced to five, including three nationals (one of whom will be a female sailor). A group phase combining match racing and fleet racing is planned for 2026. Registration is open until January 31, 2026. The Youth and Women America’s Cups will continue.
The Ocean Race Europe gets off to an eventful start
Last Sunday in Kiel, The Ocean Race Europe was the scene of a spectacular image. The Swiss boat Holcim-PRB, skippered by the Dutchwoman Rosalin Kuiper, luffed the IMOCA Allagrande Mapei Racing, skippered by the Italian Ambrogio Beccaria. The Swiss boat’s outrigger exploded the Italian’s genoa. Unable to respond to the luff, the latter collided with and damagedHolcim-PRB‘s hull. Both boats had to return to port. A protest was lodged.
Among the five boats still racing, Alan Roura’s Team Amaala has taken Simon Koster, Lucie De Gennes and Felix Oberle – all members of the Swiss Offshore Team – on board for this first leg to Portsmouth. Justine Mettraux is aboard Boris Herrmann’s Team Malizia . The Ocean Race Europe comprises seven legs and is due to finish in mid-September.
SailGP: the Swiss must confirm in Germany
On the strength of its first podium finish of the season, in Portsmouth at the end of July, the Switzerland SailGP Team will be looking to confirm its ability to qualify for the final this weekend. The eighth Grand Prix of the 2025 season takes place in Sassnitz, a small German town on the Baltic Sea. In the overall standings, SĂ©bastien Schneiter’s team is in the middle of the road. Ranked seventh out of 12, there are now four weekends left, including Geneva, to try and catch up with the French.