{"id":158632,"date":"2025-06-20T12:39:38","date_gmt":"2025-06-20T11:39:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/?p=158632"},"modified":"2025-06-23T16:39:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-23T15:39:58","slug":"3-time-americas-cup-winner-swaps-new-zealand-for-italy-in-shock-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/americas-cup\/3-time-americas-cup-winner-swaps-new-zealand-for-italy-in-shock-move-158632","title":{"rendered":"3 time America’s Cup winner, Peter Burling, swaps New Zealand for Italy in shock move"},"content":"
<\/div>\r\nWhen it was confirmed last week that the 38th America\u2019s Cup would be held in Naples<\/a>, Italy, the announcement was widely welcomed. The Italians\u2019 enduring passion for the Cup \u2013 demonstrated by Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli'<\/a>s\u00a0involvement \u2013 would, many hope, translate into a vibrant and well-supported event. A European time zone should hopefully boost the event\u2019s broadcast appeal and perhaps help entice more teams to return from AC37.\r\n\r\nWhat\u2019s more, it means the America\u2019s Cup<\/a> is not going to be a generously funded but potentially very light airs event in the Middle East.\r\n\r\nConditions in Barcelona last summer were tricky, to say the least. Teams and fans spent many hours waiting for the breeze to fill in and for Race Committee announcer Melanie Roberts to utter her famous phrase \"We have met the wind limit, and this race is live.\"\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nSo what sailing conditions can we expect in Naples?\r\n\r\nThe first clues came very quickly after the announcement with images from the Regata dei Tre Golfi \u2013 an annual regatta that includes inshore racing for ORC classes and a 170-mile offshore for Maxis. And photos of the big boats powered up as the set off from the Bay of Naples under spinnaker in 15 knots certainly look promising.\r\n\r\nNaples has also previously hosted two America\u2019s Cup World Series<\/a> events in 2012 and 2013. Reporting from the 2012 event, Matthew Sheahan<\/em><\/a> described the location: \u201cThe venue here in Naples is superb, both for spectators and sailors. Open to the sea, the westerly breeze is clean and the sailing area free from obstructions.\u201d\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_158052\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Racing in the Gulf of Naples for the Regata dei Tre Golfi 2025. Photo: Studio Borlenghi[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBut the Cup Challenger series and match won\u2019t be decided over a single week, so what are the prevailing conditions over the summer?\r\n\r\nPaola Desiderio<\/em>, a Yacht Club Officer for the Naples and Salerno area, chatted to Naples sailing legend and highly respected Race Officer Luciano Cosentino for Yachting World <\/em>about what to expect:\r\n

America\u2019s Cup sailing area<\/h2>\r\n\u201cTraditionally regattas in Naples take place in the area in front of Castel dell\u2019Ovo and Posillipo, in the Gulf Of Naples,\u201d explains Consentino.\r\n\r\n\u201cThe official [Cup] communication says the regattas will take place in that traditional area opposite Castel dell\u2019Ovo, where the majority of Naples\u2019 sailing clubs are based. It makes perfect sense as this area would offer the most picturesque image of the city, in view of Vesuvius and Castel dell\u2019Ovo, with Capri visible in the distance..\r\n\r\n\u201cThe problem is that, according to reports, the boats will be based in Bagnoli, north of Posillipo in the Gulf of Pozzuoli, that is a six-mile distance from the regatta field. The boats would have to be possibly towed from there, or sail to the regatta area in the Gulf of Naples. So being based in Bagnoli is not the most practical solution.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_158074\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Teams sail in front of Castel dell'Ovo during a practice race of the America's Cup World Series Naples in April 2013. Photo: Jacopo Raule\/Getty Images[\/caption]\r\n

Naples sailing conditions<\/h2>\r\n\u201cAssuming that the regatta will take place 1 nautical mile or so out at sea, in the area directly in front of Castel dell\u2019 Ovo in the Gulf of Naples, where it will be visible by the public from the Lungomare, the best conditions in my experience are typically between mid-May and mid June,\u201d says Consentino.\r\n\r\n\u201cIn these months typically the thermal breeze blowing onshore settles between 1230 and 1430 and typically reaches speeds of 10-15 knots, which is an ideal scenario for the AC75s<\/a>. It is enough to \u2018take off\u2019 on the foils<\/a>, but not enough to risk causing damage.\r\n\r\n\u201cTypically between 1230-1400 the thermal breeze comes in from 200-210 degrees, straight from the visible islands of Capri or Ischia. Unless it rains or there is a lot of humidity in the air on the day of the races \u2013 or or in the days before \u2013 these kinds of conditions are what we normally get.\r\n\r\n\u201cGenerally by the time we get to mid-May, up to mid-June, we get this typical thermal onshore breeze, which moves like a sunflower with the sun to 220, 230, 240 degrees, as we go into the afternoon. Until, occasionally, the Mistral comes in and that is when things get more complicated for the organisers. If this happens the racing area might have to be moved further out at sea.\r\n\r\n\u201cWhen the Mistral comes in, from 270, up to 300 degrees, in other words from north-west, it is hard to place the top mark upwind in the typical racing area, at a distance of 1nm from the coast. This is because there is no space to place the windward mark opposite Posillipo. The coastline under Posillipo creates a rotation, which changes the direction of the wind.\r\n\r\n\u201cSo with the Mistral blowing on shore, the whole racing area will have to be moved further out at sea. This would create a headache for the organisers, media operation, commercial traffic etc.\u201d\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_158076\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" Aerial view of the Bay of Naples, with Castel dell'Ovo in the foreground and Vesuvius in the background. The Cup racing area is likely to be further north of Ovo castle or directly in front of it out at sea. Photo: Fabrizio Villa\/Getty Images[\/caption]\r\n

Current in Gulf of Naples<\/h2>\r\n\u201cIn Naples, it is rare to find currents that are not in line with the direction of the wind. The only exception is when a strong offshore wind has been blowing for the preceding days. In that case it takes time for the current to align with the direction of the new wind.\r\n\r\n\u201cDuring the America\u2019s Cup this could happen, but it would only affect the first start or so. It is not a condition that lasts long, once the prevailing wind becomes established.\u201d\r\n

Late summer in Naples<\/h2>\r\n\u201cI would exclude racing in August, as it is Italy\u2019s holiday month and the traffic at sea in the area is impossible to control, with hundreds of commercial ferries and private yachts and boats heading towards the regatta area on their way to Capri.\r\n\r\n\u201cSeptember is a month of light winds. Potentially more unstable, with typically thermal breezes between 8-12 knots. October is as unstable as April.\"\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_158077\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"630\"]\"\" The commercial harbour of Naples. Photo: Ivan Romano\/Getty Images[\/caption]\r\n

Local politics<\/h2>\r\nConsentino also notes that there is some complex local politics involved - with something of a stalemate at the Italian Sailing Federation regional \u2018V Zone\u2019 in Naples, which is currently led by a temporary administration after recent elections didn\u2019t lead to a consensus over a new president.\r\n\r\n\"Rivalry among the clubs and internal political strife are not conducive towards a working administration. This is certainly a problem that requires a solution before an event of such magnitude can take place,\" he points out.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_158078\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"600\"]\"\" AC45s racing during the America's Cup World Series Naples in 2013 in Naples, Italy. Photo: Jacopo Raule\/Getty Images[\/caption]\r\n

Luciano Cosentino<\/h2>\r\nLuciano Cosentino, now in his 80s, is a revered figure in Italian competitive sailing. The Cosentino family is synonymous with sailing excellence: his father Roberto and uncle Antonio took Olympic bronze medals in the Dragon class. As a Senior Race Officer, Luciano is widely respected for his deep knowledge of racing rules and conditions in the Bay of Naples.","excerpt":{"rendered":"

Peter Burling, the most successful America\u2019s Cup helm in the modern era, has signed with Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. Following much speculation, the Italian challengers confirmed today, Friday 20 June 2025 that Burling \u2013 who helmed Emirates Team New Zealand to a record three back-to-back wins (the \u2018three-Pete\u2019) – will join Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli for the 38th America\u2019s Cup cycle. Burling announced he was departing Team New Zealand back in early April this year, after he and team boss Grant Dalton were unable to come to agreement on key terms. Exactly what they were were never disclosed, but there was plenty of speculation that it was to do with the level of all-in commitment Dalton sought from his key team members. Burling is also skipper of the Black Foils New Zealand SailGP team. Exactly what capacity Burling will join the Italian team in is unclear, in part due to wording in a draft protocol released by Team New Zealand in late May 2025 That draft Protocol currently forbids sailors who competed in the last Cup for one nation representing another in AC38 stating: \u2018…up to two non-nationals may participate as crew on a Competitor\u2019s yacht in a race in the AC38 Events, provided such non-nationals did not participate as crew in any races of the following AC37 Events \u2013 the AC37 Final Preliminary Regatta, the Challenger Selection Series or the AC37 Match.\u2019 This rule was known to be one of the sticking points among several Challengers \u2013 including the Challenger of Record, Ben Ainslie\u2019s Athena Racing. However, the Italian challengers have been notably quiet following the recent dissent voiced by the British, American and Swiss teams. This does raise the question of whether the Italians intend to have Burling on the water for AC38 at all, or if that rule is no longer set to be included in the Protocol. \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled to welcome Peter Burling to Luna Rossa,\u201d said Max Sirena, CEO of Luna Rossa. \u201cPeter has been a long-time rival, and over the years we’ve come to deeply respect both his exceptional sailing talent and his sportsmanship on the racecourse. \u201cEven though his exact role has yet to be defined, he will certainly be part of the sailing team, reinforcing Luna Rossa\u2019s core leadership group and contributing to key areas of our development program. \u201cPeter brings tremendous sporting, technical, and personal value. We are confident his presence will give the team a significant boost, bringing renewed energy, expertise, and determination as we look ahead to the challenge before us.\u201d \u201cI\u2019m incredibly proud to be joining Luna Rossa for the 38th America\u2019s Cup,\u201d said Peter Burling. \u201cI\u2019ve always loved racing against Luna Rossa and now to join this iconic team is a real honour. The innovation and competitiveness they bring to the Cup has always inspired me. I\u2019m grateful for the warm welcome and I\u2019m looking forward to working hard alongside a world-class team, doing my part to help win Luna Rossa\u2019s first America\u2019s Cup.\u201d Article …Continue reading »<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1571,"featured_media":158636,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1160,687],"tags":[1227,583,569,1633],"review_manufacturer":[],"acf":[],"introduction":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158632"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1571"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=158632"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158632\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":158676,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/158632\/revisions\/158676"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158636"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158632"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=158632"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=158632"},{"taxonomy":"review_manufacturer","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.yachtingworld.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/review_manufacturer?post=158632"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}