Can you imagine the speed these foils will reach? The September prelims in Naples will showcase AC40 one‑design foiling monohulls, identical in hull and rig but driven by crew skill, tactics and fine‑tuning. Four sailors per boat—two helmsmen and two trimmers—will battle across eight fleet races from the 25th to the 27th, with the top two meeting in a match race to crown the prelim champion, as Luna Rossa did in Cagliari. In 2027 the scene shifts to AC75 foiling giants, no longer one‑design; teams can adapt hulls from recent Cups and must field five crew members plus a guest racer, with at least one woman aboard. The historic fleet race on 22‑23 May 2027 will see all seven AC75, including the Defender, on the water together for the first time. After round‑robin match races, the top three challengers advance to semifinals, while the rest fight a repêchage for the final spot. Semifinals are best‑of‑seven; the Louis Vuitton final is best‑of‑thirteen, deciding who will challenge Emirates Team New Zealand. In my view, the shift to AC75 will redefine the sport’s competitive landscape.
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