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The French challenge for the 2027 America's Cup is formalizing its organization with a new identity, a structured sports team and an expanded crew around the AC75 program.
A new identity and a long-term partner
The K-Challenge project adopts a new name with the arrival of a title partner from the L'Oréal group. This change is in keeping with a commitment that has already been present in the competition for several decades.
The America's Cup environment is a real-life testing ground. Crews are constantly exposed to the sun, salt and wind, with specific physiological constraints linked to the speed and intensity of maneuvers.
In this context, data collected during sailing sessions are used to feed observation and analysis protocols. Sessions on the water thus become a complementary study medium, directly linked to the sporting activity.
Sporting management inspired by America's Cup culture
Philippe Presti, whose career includes several America's Cup campaigns, victories and participation in various international projects, is in charge of sports management.
His role is to coordinate the sailors, structure the team's progress and ensure consistency between the training, technical development and competition phases.
The America's Cup is based on a collective approach. Race performance depends as much on sailing as on overall organization, from technical teams to strategic choices.
A crew built around flying supports
The group of sailors is organized around Quentin Delapierre, skipper and pilot involved in foiling circuits, notably in SailGP and Nacra 17.
The workforce brings together profiles from Olympic sailing, the America's Cup and the professional circuits. Skills cover helming, trimming and flight control.
The technical team is made up of around sixty people, organized by division. Work focuses on appendages, hydraulics, on-board electronics and overall performance.
Lorient, technical base and training center
The project is based on Lorient as its home port. The site brings together ocean racing teams and expertise in naval architecture, composites and electronics.
Training runs take place on AC40s, which are used to prepare crews for maneuvers and flight phases. The simulator completes this set-up, enabling the testing of configurations without having to put the boat in the water.
The AC75, currently being optimized, will take over for the advanced navigation phases. The trials will enable us to adjust the settings in conditions close to those encountered in competition.
A progressive program to Naples in 2027
The first on-water confrontation is scheduled for May 21-24, 2027 in Cagliari, Sardinia, during preliminary regattas contested in AC40s. Preparation then continues in Lorient, before a transfer to Naples in September 2026, to sail on the competition course.
The final phase of the 38th America's Cup will begin on July 10, 2027. Between now and then, the focus is on accumulating sailing hours, validating technical choices and coordinating the crew. The whole project is part of this progression, between boat development and team building.
