With the countdown to Preliminary Regatta Two well underway, GB1 were back on the water today as preparations continue in Naples ahead of a packed week of America's Cup action.
Both GB1 and Cobham Ultra GB2 docked out this morning and headed into the Bay of Naples for a valuable training session, taking advantage of the conditions as sailors and shore crews fine-tuned their setups ahead of the opening practice day later this week.
Returning to the AC40 for the first time in several months, today's session was an important opportunity for the team to get valuable time back on the water ahead of racing later this week.
"It was really good to be back reunited with the team," said Ben Cornish. "It's been a while since we've been sailing the AC40, so it was important for us to shake off the rust and have a first look at the racecourse we'll be racing on this weekend. There's lots for us to learn over the next couple of days, and it's great to see all the activity building around the event."
The session also allowed the team to begin assessing the conditions on the Bay of Naples and continue preparations ahead of the second Preliminary Regatta of the Louis Vuitton 38th America's Cup cycle, with official racing set to begin on Friday.
Set beneath the backdrop of one of Italy's most iconic coastal cities, the Bay of Naples will provide the stage for four days of racing and fan-focused activity, with thousands of spectators expected to line the waterfront throughout the event.
Attention now turns to Thursday's Official Practice Day, where teams will get their first chance to gauge themselves against the competition on the racecourse. While no points will be on offer, the day's sailing will provide a valuable opportunity to refine race strategies and gain crucial insight ahead of the opening races.
Official racing begins on Friday, with three fleet races scheduled on both Friday and Saturday. Sunday's programme will feature two final fleet races before the top two teams progress to a winner-takes-all Match Race Final to decide the overall event winner.
For GB1 and Cobham Ultra GB2, today's training session was another positive step in the build-up to the regatta, with both teams focused on making the most of their time on the water before racing gets underway.
As excitement builds across Naples, fans can follow both teams throughout the week as they continue their preparations and take on the world's best in Preliminary Regatta Two.
