Peter Burling is poised to drive Luna Rossa’s lead boat this week and race against Team New Zealand for the first time since their shock split in the America’s Cup.
The former Team NZ skipper is expected to be one of the helms for the Italians when the first preliminary regatta of the Cup’s 38th cycle starts in Cagliari on Friday morning (NZ time).
Burling might even be unveiled Luna Rossa’s skipper in Italy’s desperate pursuit to win sailing’s greatest prize for the first time when Team NZ defend the Auld Mug in Naples next July, although there has been no confirmation yet.
When the Cup’s racing resumes off the coast of Sardinia, Burling is expected to occupy the starboard side of Luna Rossa’s senior AC40 in four days of fleet and match racing.
Their other helmsmen are Marco Gradoni, Ruggero Tita and Gianluigi Ugolini, with the make-up of their two crews in their half-scale AC40s in Cagliari yet to be announced.
