America's Cup: Luna Rossa cuts session short after mystery underwater issue
by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World NZ 9 Oct 03:00 BST
Luna Rossa - October 7, 2026 - Cagliari © Ivo Rovira / America's Cup Recon
The Luna Rossa team rolled out the boat at 10:45. Rudder upper leading edge appears modified compared to the last session in August. The leading edge now less appears less pronounced compared to R05-E.
Both wings were equipped with usual slim cameras at mid span while port wing had two additional Gopros pointing towards bulb. An additional camera fitted in the hull skin was noted on lower port hull area, perhaps to record rudder or wing wake. On deck the newest mainsheeting system was placed suggesting the usage of M2-1 paired to J2-1 and J3-1 for the day.
Another white hardware piece similar to a camera was placed close to cameras in deck skin for main aero recording, see Recon Image selects.
Similar to previous sailing day the rig was equipped with several cameras, on mast head port side and spreaders.
Dockout was scheduled for sharp 12:00. The starting crew consisted of Ruggero Tita (helm), Vittorio Bissaro (trim), and Maria Giubilei (5th) on port, and Peter Burling (helm), Gigi Ugolini (trim), and an engineer (6th) on starboard. Later in the day, Ruggero Tita replaced Marco Gradoni, Vittorio Bissaro replaced Umberto Molineris, and several engineers rotated through position 6.
M2-1 was hoisted at 11:50 and paired to the new J2-1 at 12:20 with seabreeze between 9.5-10.5kts from 125°. With a tow up by chaseboat the first foiling stint began with some longer boards and warm up tacks.
On this day windward cant adjustments appeared more significant compared to usual balance. Having sailed a while upwind, the first bear-away took place and the team drilled some gybes. Manuvering looked consistent, more composed compared to previous day considering the much flatter sea-state and steadier pressure. On several occasions the some minor wrinkles were noted on the M2-1 + J2-1 combination.
As the team had warmed up with several upwind and downwind boards, some aggressive bear-aways to roundups were sailed before running through some prestart routines with tight manoeuvring including full circles, double-tacks, bear-aways, trims up starting on the line. Occasional vibration of shrouds were noted. The boat stopped sailing at 13:07.
At 13:15 M2-1 and J2-1 were lowered after having inspected the mainhook at mast head.
As the seabreeze had picked up to 11-13kts from 120° the J2-1 was lowered to hoist the J3-1 with M2-1. The boat was foilborne by self take off at 14:00 and started digging into some tacks sailing shorter boards. After approximately 7 minutes foiling, the boat fell hullborne as the rudder seemed to have been stalled on stbd tack.
So far upwind, the breeze was quite lighter, around 6-8kts as the sky began to cover. Quickly back foilborne, the team bore away and executed some gybes, appearing slightly underpowered in the catch exiting the manoeuvre. Bulb-to-bulb times were again counted at approximately 6 seconds during upwind manoeuvres, similar for downwind. After having sailed some legs, the boat decelerated for crew rotation and a battery swap.
Before the third session began at 14:45, the sea breeze filled back in the bay and measured 8-9.5kts from 120°. The boat took off and sailed mostly upwind straightline on both boards. At 14:50 the boat suddenly stopped and crew members gathered on jib track investigating inside the soft fairing.
Technicians jumped onboard and inspections followed on jib track and rudder bearing case. A diver was deployed and inspected the area around the lower bearing while technicians opened the rudder stock fairing for another inspection.
The clear view was obstructed to the Recon Unit by crew onboard.
It is unclear what the nature of the issue has been, perhaps problems on the camera fitted in the hull skin close by the rudders leading edge or rudder bearing.
Sails were lowered at 15:25hrs and the boat was towed hull-borne to the harbour.
Shots at crane out revealed no visible damage.
The day was called with approximately 69 minutes foilborne, 26 tacks and 22 gybes.
Luna Rossa - Sailing Day 22, October 7, 2026 - Cagliari, Sardinia
Crew List:
- Port Helm: Marco Gradoni (ITA)/Ruggero Tita (ITA)
- Starboard Helm: Peter Burling (NZL)
- Port Trimmer: Gigi Ugolini (ITA)/Vittorio Bissaro (ITA)
- Starboard Trimmer: Umberto Molinaris(ITA)
- P5: Maria Giubilei (Port) P6: Engineers (S'bd)
Wind & Sea Conditions:
- Morning: Sunny/Partially covered Afternoon: Sunny/Partially covered
- Wind: @12:40 9.5-10.5kts 125°, @13:15 11-13kts 125°, @14:20 6-8kts 120°, @14:50 8-9.5kts 120°
- Sea State: Quite flat
Times and Tacks
- Dock Out: 1200hrs
- Sails Dropped: 1525hrs
- Time elapsed: 3hrs 25minshr
- Foiling time: 69mins
- Tacks: 26
- Gybes: 22