America's Cup PR2: Emirates Team NZ survive the chaos of Day 2
by Emirates Team NZ 26 Sep 19:36 BST
25-27 September 2026
Emirates Team NZ - Day 2 - Louis Vuitton America's Cup - Preliminary Regatta Naples - September 26, 2026 © Ricardo Pinto / America's Cup
Day 2 of the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta delivered a full-throttle spectacle across the Bay of Naples, treating an electric crowd of over 65,000 spectators in the Race Village to a relentless display of tight, high-stakes AC40 racing.
Early uncertainty centered on whether the north-easterly flow would hold against a developing sea breeze, but the race committee started on schedule in 15 to 18-knot winds.
For both Emirates Team New Zealand crews—helmed by Nathan Outteridge and Youth & Women helm Jake Pye—consistency was the primary goal. However, frequent lead changes across the four fleet races led to mixed results for both squads among the nine-boat fleet.
The opening race yielded back-of-the-fleet finishes for both Kiwi entries. In Race 4, Outteridge drew a windward-boat penalty on Luna Rossa off the start to take the early lead on the left. A subsequent penalty dropped the senior boat back, but congestion at the first gate allowed both Outteridge and Pye to find lanes through the fleet. Outteridge crossed in second, while Pye finished fourth.
Race 5 opened with Emirates Team New Zealand starting at the pin end while the Women & Youth crew luffed the French team. An early right-hand wind shift set both Kiwi boats back, but mark-rounding traffic enabled Pye to move into second behind the French. On the final leg, the leading French boat capsized, allowing Jake Pye, Erica Dawson, Serena Woodall, and Josh Armit to take the win. Outteridge finished third to secure a one-three Kiwi result.
In Race 6, the senior crew started on port and ducked the fleet to access the right side of the course. The call placed Outteridge around the top mark in second. Following an upwind battle, the recovered French boat took the win just ahead of Emirates Team New Zealand in second. The Women & Youth crew finished ninth.
At the conclusion of the day, Outteridge’s team held second place on 43 points, 8 points behind leader Luna Rossa. Tudor Team Alinghi sat third on 38 points, followed by Luna Rossa Women & Youth on 35 points.
The regatta concludes tomorrow with two fleet races followed by a Match Race Final between the top two teams in the standings to decide the winner.