Anyone heading out by boat to watch the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup Prelim Regatta off Sardinia between 21 and 24 May should read through the following information carefully. It covers everything required to keep yourself, your crew, and the people around you safe on the water.
Three races are scheduled daily across a compact racecourse, with racing starting at 15:00 CEST each day and expected to finish by 17:00 CEST. A full afternoon on the water is part of the deal, so prepare accordingly.
All skippers and boat representatives are strongly encouraged to work through this material and register their details via the link provided. Once registered, you will receive the morning briefing and plan of the day, the latest weather forecast, and any critical safety or security updates. Those morning briefings will give you everything you need to enjoy the racing while keeping yourself and those around you safe.
IMPORTANT: IF A BOAT APPEARS ON THE RACE COURSE IN THE WRONG PLACE (FOR EXAMPLE BOATS WITH NO FLAGS CANNOT GO INTO THE VIP FLAG AREA - SEE ON MAP FOR THER CORRECT VIEWING ZONES) THE MARSHALS WILL INVITE THEM TO MOVE TO THE CORRECT AREA - PLEASE ALWAYS FOLLOW THE MARSHAL INSTRUCTIONS SO THEY CAN KEEP EVERYONE SAFE.
Anchoring is not permitted at any point during the event, except in a genuine emergency. Every vessel in the spectator fleet must remain under engine power throughout the day, staying mobile and ready to shift position at short notice should the racecourse configuration require it.
Any vessel without an engine or its own independent means of propulsion is not permitted to join the on-water spectator fleet, as a firm safety requirement. Every spectator boat must carry a VHF radio, maintain a continuous watch on channel 69, and be capable of manoeuvring promptly and effectively whenever directed by ACE Marshals or the maritime authorities on station.
Skippers should be aware that normal port entry and exit procedures may be disrupted on racing days, with adjustments to standard harbour operations to be expected.
Racing is scheduled to begin at 1500hrs CEST on each race day, though this is subject to change and will be confirmed to all boat representatives each morning. Marshal boats will use 20 perimeter marks to establish the racecourse and spectator zones ahead of racing, with the full setup in place by 1230hrs CEST on each race day.
The guiding principle for every spectator vessel is straightforward: make your way to your designated zone, stay outside the perimeter marks at all times, and follow any instruction issued by the ACE Marshals.
Perimeter marks carry a numbering system so that spectator boats can readily identify which zone applies to them. Zones are allocated by boat type as follows:
- YELLOW / NO-FLAG: All general boats - BLUE VIP FLAG: OFFICIAL TEAM BOATS AND EVENT SPONSOR BOATS - BLUE VIP FLAG: OFFICIAL TEAM BOATS AND EVENT SPONSOR BOATS
Flags will be supplied by ACE, and instructions for collecting them will be communicated in due course.
RULES ON THE WATER:
- VHF radio and On-water WhatsApp Spectator to be carried by all spectator boats. Please listen on Channel 69. - Except in an emergency, anchoring will not be permitted. All spectator boats must be under engine with one (1) person in charge, mobile at all times (never anchored) and remaining mobile in case they need to move or change the race course. - Spectator boats without engines or a means of propulsion cannot join the on-water spectator boat fleet, for safety reasons. - Boats are not allowed to stop or spectate between racing area and the land. There will be a boat corridor between the boundary and beach marks which allows access for boats to the Port of Cagliari.
Safety is most important for all people and boats:
- Do not under any circumstances enter inside the perimeter marks. - Always follow the instructions of the AC38 Marshals and Police/Security Boats and Ports Authority instructions for harbour exit and entry. - Do not attempt to go close to the AC40 yachts at any time.
NO DRONES ALLOWED:
- Please note that it is a requirement that no drones / UAVs etc, of any shape, size or form be operated from any spectator, VIP vessel or land mass and flying into, through or around the racing area. - We advise all boats to have access to the internet and a mobile device to be able to follow live commentary. - It is a long day on the water: take plenty of food and water and prepare for spectator boat queues in/out of port.
