Junior joined a coaching group that also includes long-time Luna Rossa helmsman Francesco Bruni, who stepped back from an on-board role after the regatta in Barcelona in 2024, while Burling shapes up as the experienced head on board, with Ruggero Tita the most likely candidate to join him at the wheel. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have only been sailing for a few days, but I am very satisfied. I also like this mix of experienced people, who bring with them the know-how acquired in previous cups, and very young people who enrich the team with fresh suggestions and ideas,\u201d Burling said. <\/p>\n
Three teams have now launched their AC75s, with France\u2019s La Roche-Posay Racing Team now out on the water on their full-sized vessel. <\/p>\n
The French AC75 hull is something of a twin to Team New Zealand\u2019s Taihoro, the French syndicate purchasing a design package from the Kiwi team in order to feature as a late entry in the last cycle. However, while the new cycle will involve the teams reusing their hulls from the 2024 campaign, the teams will have to redevelop what\u2019s going on inside, with fewer sailors and different technical requirements. <\/p>\n
France’s La Roche-Posay Racing Team have launched their AC75 in Lorient. Photo \/ America’s Cup<\/p>\n
Now in their second campaign \u2013 the first time a French syndicate has featured in back-to-back America\u2019s Cups \u2013 they are expected to develop into a strong contender, particularly after bolstering their sailing team with the acquisition of top Spanish duo Diego Botin and Florian Trittel. <\/p>\n
Launching in Lorient earlier this week, it was the first time the team had sailed their AC75 on home waters, after only sailing at Barcelona in the last cycle. <\/p>\n
\u201cFollowing our excellent start at the first official regatta in Cagliari last May, seeing our AC75 sail for the first time in France is a highlight for the whole team. This launch marks the culmination of months of work carried out in Lorient by our sailors, engineers, technicians and all our partners,\u201d chief executive Stephan Kandler said. <\/p>\n
\u201cBeing the third team to relaunch its AC75 demonstrates the momentum we have built up and the progress made since Barcelona without ever stopping. In its new livery, the boat fully embodies the project we are building with La Roche-Posay: a long-term French campaign based on science, innovation and the pursuit of performance. <\/p>\n
\u201cThese first runs mark an important milestone and kick off a new phase of on-the-water operations, with a clear objective: to help the team make progress every day in the run-up to Naples 2027.\u201d <\/p>\n
British challenger GB1<\/a> and Switzerland\u2019s Tudor Team Alinghi<\/a> are yet to relaunch their AC75s, alongside late entries and America\u2019s Cup newcomers Team USA<\/a> and Team Australia.<\/a><\/p>\n