On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, the British America’s Cup challenger GB1 sustained damage to its AC40 race boat and a minor facial injury to its starboard helm, Dylan Fletcher, following a collision on the Bay of Naples with a chase boat operated by Tudor Team Alinghi (Sailweb). The incident occurred on the racecourse as the team prepared for its first practice start of the regatta alongside nine other AC40 yachts, ahead of the second Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup (Sailweb). All personnel onboard GB1 and the Swiss chase boat were safe and accounted for following the impact (Sailweb).
Damage Assessment and Immediate Aftermath
Following the collision, GB1’s AC40 returned to shore so the team could assess the extent of the damage (Sailweb). The impact damaged the voilier’s starboard foil arm (France Bleu) and left Fletcher with bruising on his left cheek (France Bleu) and a minor facial injury (Sailweb). Reflecting on the incident on social media, Fletcher shared a lighthearted update featuring a bandage on his face, noting that things don’t always go smoothly (Course au Large). The initial team communiqués did not detail the specific circumstances or assign responsibility for the collision (Course au Large).
Team Alinghi Assistance and Training Resumption
To help the British squad resume training quickly, Tudor Team Alinghi stepped in by providing a spare foil arm (Sailweb). This material support allowed GB1 to return to the water on Wednesday, September 23 (Course au Large), while heavy repairs to the team’s original foil arm continued on land (Sailweb). Fletcher publicly thanked the Swiss team for their material assistance as the British crew resumed their preparations (Course au Large).
Schedule for the 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta
The second Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta runs in Naples from September 24 to September 27, 2026 (Sailweb). Official race days are scheduled for September 25 and September 26, featuring three fleet races each afternoon (Sailweb). Following eight total fleet races, the top two teams will advance to a winner-takes-all match-race final on Sunday, September 27 (Sailweb). The preliminary events utilize AC40 yachts manned by senior, youth, and women’s squads before competitors transition to full-scale AC75 yachts in May 2027 (Sailweb).
