Ray Davies

Strategy on the Bay of Naples Emirates Team New Zealand has deployed two AC40 monohulls on the Bay of Naples a full year before the 38th America’s Cup. Lead coach Ray Davies emphasized that early arrival serves a dual purpose: mastering local wind anomalies and adapting to the intense logistics of a chaotic Italian city. Unlike the structured environment of Barcelona, Naples demands mental flexibility. Reliable weather data from PredictWind assists, but the real challenge lies in the physical nuances of the racetrack, including how winds wrap around the bay's massive geographical features. Training the Next Generation of Foiling Talent High-performance sailing requires continuous talent development. The defender is actively rotating youth and women's squads through their manual-control AC40 yachts. This strategy builds the sharp, instinctive reflexes required for modern foiling. Davies noted that manual control of these twitchy monohulls represents an irreplaceable training tool. By placing rising stars alongside veterans, the team builds organizational depth and ensures that the transition to the larger grand-prix class is seamless. The Engineering Trade-offs of the Third-Generation AC75 On the technical front, the new version of the AC75 showcases critical design shifts. Currently testing in Auckland, the third-generation platform is significantly lighter. This weight reduction allows the boat to take off and foil in much lighter breezes—a vital capability for the summer conditions in Naples. However, engineering always involves trade-offs. The lighter design means top-end speeds may slightly decrease in heavier air compared to previous campaigns. Winning teams must decide exactly where to optimize their performance curves. Mentality and Teamwork in a Chaotic Arena Victory in the America’s Cup belongs to teams that embrace pressure rather than fight it. Naples brings a passionate, massive fan base—especially driven by Luna Rossa—creating a highly charged, stadium-like atmosphere. Navigating this external noise requires intense psychological resilience. With the loss of the physical power of cyclors on board due to recent rule changes, the focus shifts entirely to tactical precision and synchronized execution. Every team member must focus on precise execution under pressure, trusting the collective game plan.