La Roche-Posay Racing Team, representing the Société Nautique de Saint Tropez, are the first 38th America’s Cup team to launch an AC75 and sail on the Bay of Naples.
For La Roche-Posay Racing Team it’s a highly significant moment with the team being first to sail an AC75 on the waters of the host venue. In the previous America’s Cup, the team were always battling the clock and were the last to launch in Barcelona. This campaign is very different.
The team’s AC75, a sister-ship to the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup winning yacht ‘Taihoro’ of Emirates Team New Zealand, arrived in Bagnoli just ahead of the Preliminary Regatta.
There it has been fitted out and brought up to racing condition with the team expecting to train throughout the Mediterranean winter as they prepare for the Louis Vuitton Cup that starts on 22 May 2027.
The full sailing team, bristling with talent, were on display too and meeting with the dignitaries including Skipper Quentin Delapierre, co-helm Diego Botìn, and trimmers Jason Saunders, Leigh McMillan, Florian Trittel and Maëlenn Lemaitre. Others in attendance included Team Coach Philippe Presti, Amélie Grassi, Enzo Balanger and Timothé Lapauw.
Gaetano Manfredi, the Mayor of Naples, was in attendance at this historic and highly symbolic launch ahead of the event and said: “Today, the first boat – the first AC75 – is being launched from Bagnoli. The French team is now fully operational. Over the coming days, other teams will continue to set up base in the city. A huge effort, but also a great achievement.”
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AC75 of La Roche-Posay Racing Team first to arrive in Naples