Has America’s Cup lost its way?

When the America’s Cup shifted from monohulls to catamarans in for the 2013 event, it was not for better racing. It was for better ratings. The pursuit of commercial sustainability has sought entertainment at every turn.

The shift may have split opinion, but not among the competitors. They love it, though how trustful is judgement that secures better income? Jablonski Karol, past AC helmsman and icesailing champion, considers the event from a higher altitude:

Now 175 years since that race around the Isle of Wight from which the America’s Cup trophy was born, has technology and “the show” overshadowed the essence of traditional sailing?

Next year marks the 38th edition of the battle for the legendary Auld Mug, but the sailing world’s eyes now turn to the Preliminary Regatta on September 24-27 in Naples, Italy. Teams will clash on 40-foot “miniatures” (AC40 class), designed to mimic the massive, 75-foot “flying” AC75 machines.

I must admit, I look at this with a degree of skepticism. To me, these small foiling boats feel more like television show props than the essence of the true, ruthless on-water battle worthy of the America’s Cup.

Don’t get me wrong – I am not a conservative opponent of progress. In fact, speed is my life. As the most decorated ice sailor in the world and a 12-time DN Class World Champion, speed is in my DNA.

On those small iceboats, with a sail area of just 6.5 m², we regularly reach 43-54 knots, and up to 70 knots on smooth ice – right above the frozen surface. I love extreme racing and dynamic development.

However, I see a clear distinction between pushing the boundaries of human capability and creating a media spectacle.

The upcoming regatta brings back powerful memories from 2007 of the historic 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia, Spain.

That was the last time we raced on the massive, incredibly demanding monohulls of the IACC Version 5 class. A record-breaking 12 top teams entered the competition.

As the helmsman of the Spanish yacht Desafío Español, the journey was long and intense:
• First, I had to win a fierce, internal team selection.
• In the challenger series (Louis Vuitton Cup), we secured a phenomenal 3rd place.
• We beat the American giant, BMW Oracle, in a direct, thrilling last race of the second Round Robin series.

That success was the fruit of three years of relentless, consistent work by an international team. For me personally, it was the pinnacle of my sporting career – reaching a goal that seemed like an impossible childhood dream.

Today, sailing is moving rapidly toward foiling technology. But it was the spirit of those tactical, traditional yachts that shaped us into versatile sailors – leaders in every department capable of harnessing massive power with a full arsenal of sails.

Event details: https://www.americascup.com/naples

Naples entrants:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): Nathan Outteridge/Seb Menzies (helm), Andy Maloney/Iain Jensen (trim)
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL): Jake Pye/Erica Dawson (helm), Serena Woodall/Josh Armit (trim)
• Athena Racing (GBR): Dylan Fletcher/Ben Cornish (helm), Bleddyn Mon/Andrea Tesei (trim)
• Athena Racing (GBR): Hannah Mills/Ellie Aldridge (helm), Sam Webb/Matt Beck (trim)
• Luna Rossa (ITA): Peter Burling/Marco Gradoni (helm), Gianluigi ‘Gigi’ Ugolini/Maria Giubilei (trim)
• Luna Rossa (ITA): Margherita Porro/Max Antoniazzi (helm), Maria Vittorria Marchesini/Giovanni Santi (trim)
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI): Paul Goodison/Phil Robertson (helm), Nicolas Rolaz/Pietro Sibello (trim)
• La Roche-Posay Racing Team (FRA): Quentin Delapierre/Diego Botín (helm), Jason Saunders/Florian Trittel (trim)
• American Racing Challenger Team USA (USA): Lucas Calabrese/Harry Melges IV (helm), Hans Henken/Michael Menninger (trim)

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

Defender New Zealand and Challenger of Record from Great Britain confirmed the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup on August 12, 2025. The close of the initial entry period was October 31, 2025, with late entries considered up to March 31, 2026.

The AC40 has a helm and trimmer on each side of the boat, while the AC75 does too in addition to a fifth crew position and a sixth passenger position.

38th America’s Cup entrants:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Defender
• Athena Racing (GBR) – Challenger of Record
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) – Challenger
• La Roche-Posay Racing Team (FRA) – Challenger
• American Racing Challenger Team USA (USA) – Challenger
• Team Australia (AUS) – Challenger

After the 2024 event, Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition, with the venue moved to Naples, Italy. Challenger racing is May 22 to July 4 before the 38th Match on July 10-19. Full details.

Preliminary Regattas:*
May 22-24, 2026 – Cagliari, Italy
September 24-27 – Naples, Italy

* The Protocol noted how there would be as many Preliminary Regattas as possible, with the intent to have three during 2026 and one possibly in early 2027, and a final event at the Match Venue immediately prior to the challenger series. Only two have been thus far revealed.