Forty-eight hours after the Sardinia event packed up, the sailing world's attention shifted south. The sailing instructions for the Naples Preliminary Regatta, scheduled for 24-27 September, are now published, and they confirm some meaningful changes from what teams experienced in Sardinia.
An official practice period runs from 9-15 September, during which teams are permitted to line up against each other under the supervision of the Regatta Director. Three days of official practice racing follow from Tuesday 23rd to Thursday 25th, with Race Management on the water and the Umpires in their booth. For teams, Race Management, and Umpires alike, it is a critical window to test software, broadcast systems, and procedural aspects in an as-live environment before competition begins.
The biggest change concerns the delay card system. In Sardinia, teams could request a single five-minute delay ahead of fleet races if they suffered a technical breakdown onboard. GB1, Luna Rossa, and Athena Pathway all used that option for various reasons. For Naples, it has been removed from fleet racing entirely.
The only situation in which a team can request a five-minute delay is ahead of the final match between the top two boats, following the eight-race fleet series. Chief Umpire Richard Slater explained the reasoning: "Removing the delay card system for the fleet racing means that we can align with the broadcast window and spectator expectations more fully. With nine boats on the starting line for the Naples Regatta the onus and expectation is on the teams to be ready to race their AC40s in each scheduled race."
Races carry a maximum time limit of 25 minutes, with all boats required to finish within five minutes of the winner. In lighter airs, the time limit to the first mark stays at seven minutes.
Racing will operate within a True Wind Speed window of 7.5 to 21 knots, measured over a two-minute period by Race Management. The Race Director retains the option to cancel if sea state is unsuitable for foiling.
Courses are windward/leeward gated layouts with options at both the top and bottom of the course. Naples introduces a short or longer course option depending on wind strength. All races finish on a downwind leg, and a minimum of two completed legs is required for a race to be scored.
Scoring follows the high-points format under the Racing Rules of Sailing, America's Cup Version 5. Ten points go to the race winner, cascading down by one point through the nine-boat fleet, with ninth place collecting two points.
