The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta Sardinia will bring the AC40 teams together for the first time when racing begins in Cagliari from 21–24 May 2026. Emirates Team New Zealand, GB1, Luna Rossa, Tudor Team Alinghi and K-Challenge will gather on the start line in what is effectively the opening act of the campaign leading to the main event in Naples, Italy, in the summer of 2027.
Among the teams drawing particular attention is Tudor Team Alinghi. In February, only Nicolas Rolaz had been confirmed as a team member. Known during the Barcelona campaign as the “Swiss Army Knife” for his ability to handle almost every role on board, Nicolas is also a past Optimist World Champion and is keen to prove himself in the new cycle.
In many ways, the Swiss challenger begins with a blank canvas. The aim is to assemble a crew that combines international expertise with homegrown talent, while also supporting the development of Swiss women and youth sailors aspiring to the highest level of the sport.
Alinghi was founded in 2000 in the unlikely setting of landlocked Switzerland. Within a few years, it had reshaped the America’s Cup landscape, claiming victory in 2003 and successfully defending the trophy in 2007. Since then, the team has built a reputation for its rigorous approach to research and development, engineering, and next-generation boat design, all supported by detailed data analysis and performance optimisation.
For the 38th America’s Cup campaign, Tudor joins as title partner. The collaboration reflects a shared outlook: Alinghi’s competitive ambition, aligned with the watchmaker’s Born To Dare philosophy. Tudor Team Alinghi will compete under the flag of the Société Nautique de Genève.
Preparation for the challenge is already well underway. The team has established its headquarters in Écublens, near Lausanne, where the new race boat will be built in accordance with the Deed of Gift — the historic rule framework governing the America’s Cup. Meanwhile, the crew has begun training on GC32-class catamarans as the campaign gathers momentum.
About the America’s Cup
For many professional sailors, Sardinia ranks among the Mediterranean’s most rewarding sailing venues. Italy’s second-largest island, lying south of Corsica and north of Tunisia, offers consistent winds and open waters well suited to high-performance racing.
The preliminary regatta will be sailed in identical AC40 yachts, with teams of four per boat — two helms and two trimmers. Up to 11 fleet races will determine the top two teams, who will then face off in a final match race to decide the winner.
Tudor’s Born To Dare signature celebrates individuals who achieve extraordinary feats in extreme conditions, often with a Tudor watch on their wrists. The partnership with Alinghi echoes the vision of the brand’s founder, Hans Wilsdorf, who set out to create robust, innovative watches capable of performing in the most demanding environments.
