Tudor Team Alinghi has confirmed its crew for the second preliminary regatta of the America's Cup cycle, with the four sailors rolling into the Nisida base on Vespas this morning, broad smiles all round.
The mood said as much as any timesheet: a team pleased with how training had gone.
The lineup is unchanged from Cagliari. Paul Goodison (GBR) remains Skipper and Starboard Helm, with Phil Robertson (NZL) on Port Helm, Nicolas Rolaz (SUI) as Starboard Trimmer and Pietro Sibello (ITA) as Port Trimmer.
Robertson's involvement is the clear point of interest for a New Zealand audience. The Kiwi has been with the team since 2024 and takes the port helm role again in Naples, having done so in Sardinia.
The Swiss syndicate will race its AC40, optimised since Cagliari and now fitted with new sails.
Naples is new territory for this crew. Rolaz called the Gulf of Naples "very demanding," a view Sibello shares.
"The Gulf of Naples has been quite impressive in terms of consistency," Sibello said. "Every day we've been here, the wind has been reliable, and we've been able to sail. Depending on the precise direction of the sea breeze, the top right of the course, closer to the shore, can change from day to day and even within a single day."
Preparation now gives way to race mode, with the opening ceremony fast approaching.
Goodison is a three-time America's Cup competitor, while Sibello has contested the Cup twice. Rolaz, like Robertson, has been with the team since 2024.
The regatta runs from Thursday 24 September, with an official practice day and opening ceremony, through to Sunday 27 September. Racing takes place from 1400 to 1600 CEST across three race days, Friday through Sunday.
