Racing got underway in the Bay of Naples on the opening day of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Preliminary Regatta, with Tudor Team Alinghi among nine AC40s taking to the water for the first of three scheduled fleet races.
The Swiss team lines up with Paul Goodison (GBR) as skipper and starboard helm, alongside Phil Robertson (NZL) on port helm. Nicolas Rolaz (SUI) and Pietro Sibello (ITA/SUI) round out the crew on starboard and port trim respectively.
Robertson's presence on the helm gives Kiwi fans a horse in this race. The New Zealander remains a key figure in Alinghi's campaign as it heads into its second preliminary regatta.
Conditions on the water were forecast at 11 to 16 knots from the ENE, with a modest 0.3-metre wave state expected across the course.
Nine boats made for a larger fleet than the team has faced so far on the preliminary circuit, bringing a more crowded start line with it. Clean starts and smart decisions mattered from the outset, given the bigger fleet and a dynamic racecourse.
Race 1 results were still to be confirmed as the fleet got underway.
