Sport

America's Cup: Luna Rossa triumphs in preliminary races in Naples

Luna Rossa defeats New Zealand, securing a spot in the America's Cup final match race with a dominant performance.

27 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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America's Cup: Luna Rossa triumphs in preliminary races in Naples — Photo: Jean-Baptiste Daniel · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5

Luna Rossa won the seventh fleet race of the America's Cup held in Naples, securing a spot in the final match race against Team New Zealand. The victory came with one race to spare, allowing the Italian crew to finish the fleet trials in first place.

In the decisive race, Luna Rossa outpaced New Zealand, crossing the finish line with a lead of seventeen seconds. The crowd along the waterfront in Naples welcomed the success of the Italian boat with enthusiasm and applause.

Wind conditions caused a delay in the start, but once underway, Luna Rossa dominated the competition, replicating the success already achieved in previous head-to-head encounters with their New Zealand rivals.

Although the fleet trials saw Luna Rossa in the lead, the team faced several challenges to maintain their top position. The final result confirmed the quality of their preparation and the skill of the crew led by Burling and Gradoni.

The preliminary races also featured other teams, with La Roche-Posay finishing third in the overall standings. Luna Rossa concluded the preliminary championship with a total of seventy-one points, highlighting their superiority over the competition.

The final against New Zealand is shaping up to be a decisive event in the competition, scheduled for 2027 in the Gulf of Naples, where attention will be focused on the further development of this historic rivalry in sailing.

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