America's Cup: Collision in Naples injures GB1 helm

During preparations for the Louis Vuitton America's Cup 2027 preliminary regattas in the Gulf of Naples, a maritime incident occurred involving the British team GB1 and a support boat from the Swiss Tudor Team Alinghi. The collision involved the GB1 AC40 vessel and an Alinghi chase boat, rather than the two primary racing yachts.

Dylan Fletcher, the starboard helm for GB1, sustained a minor facial injury during the impact. While the crew members were secured and rescued without major physical harm, the GB1 boat suffered evident structural damage, necessitating an immediate return to base for technical inspections. The exact cause of the collision, whether due to a structural failure or a maneuvering error, is currently under investigation.

Separately, as the second preliminary regatta approaches in Naples, ARC Team USA is preparing for its official debut. American helm Harry Melges IV attended a press conference at Castel dell'Ovo, noting that he is recovering from a broken foot sustained during training in Naples. Melges emphasized that the upcoming weekend serves as a critical testing period to gather data ahead of next year's main competition.