The French challenge for the 38th America’s Cup is officially back in motion. La Roche-Posay Racing Team has returned to the water with their AC75, resuming training as preparations intensify for the next edition of sailing’s most prestigious trophy.
The sight of the French foiling monohull back on the water sends a clear signal to the rest of the America’s Cup fleet: the French campaign is very much alive and pushing forward with its development program.
France’s Renewed America’s Cup Ambitions
France has a long and storied — if often heartbreaking — history with the America’s Cup, dating back decades of challenges that have seen French teams come agonizingly close without ever lifting the Auld Mug. The La Roche-Posay Racing Team represents the latest chapter in that enduring quest, carrying the hopes of an entire nation of sailors into what promises to be one of the most competitive cycles the event has ever seen.
The 38th America’s Cup, set to take place in Naples in 2027, marks a new era for the competition following the dramatic racing witnessed in Barcelona during the 37th edition. With Naples providing a stunning Mediterranean backdrop and historically varied wind conditions, teams will need to be supremely prepared across a wide range of sailing scenarios — making early and consistent training time on the AC75 platform absolutely critical.
The AC75 Arms Race Continues
The AC75 class has redefined what is possible in competitive sailing. These fully foiling 75-foot monohulls, capable of speeds exceeding 50 knots, represent the pinnacle of yacht racing technology. Every hour spent sailing these machines provides invaluable data on foil development, sail trim, flight control systems, and crew coordination — all of which can translate into decisive hundredths of seconds on the racecourse.
For La Roche-Posay Racing, getting back on the water in their AC75 means resuming the painstaking process of optimizing every element of their campaign. From hull and foil configurations to the intricate choreography required of the sailing team during maneuvers, the margins in America’s Cup racing are razor-thin, and development programs live or die by the amount of quality time teams can accumulate on the water.
Building Toward Naples 2027
With multiple challengers expected to be ramping up their own training programs in the coming months, the race to be ready for Naples is as much about preparation off the water as it is about performance on it. Design teams, shore crews, and sailing squads across the competing syndicates are all working at full capacity to gain any advantage they can before the preliminary regattas begin.
The return of the French team to active sailing is a milestone moment in the AC38 cycle. As the challenger fleet takes shape and the defender prepares to protect the Cup, every training session brings the sailing world one step closer to what promises to be an unforgettable showdown on the Bay of Naples.
For French sailing fans and America’s Cup enthusiasts worldwide, the message is simple and unmistakable: La Roche-Posay Racing is back, and they mean business.
