Australians confirm AC38 challenge as GB1 name prelim line-up

The race for the 38th America’s Cup in 2027 is hotting up – if you hadn’t already noticed – as a double-whammy of news broke on Tuesday afternoon.

First, the worst-kept AC secret is officially out, as featured on The Foil in the past week: Australia has launched its bid to challenge for AC38.

Second, GB1 – the renamed British challenger led by Sir Ben Ainslie following his acrimonious split with Sir Jim Ratcliffe – has named its crew line-ups for the Preliminary Regatta taking place in Sardinia from May 21-24.

Let’s look at the Aussie news first.

The statement says it all. “It is with great pride and a deep sense of tradition that I write to inform you of a landmark moment in the history of the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club,” writes Commodore Sven Runow. “On behalf of the Club, I am delighted to announce that the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (REYC) has formally issued a Notice of Challenge to the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for the 38th America's Cup, to be held in Naples in 2027.

“This challenge represents not only our Club, but Australia on the world stage, continuing our proud national legacy in sailing’s most prestigious competition.”

The statement goes on to “acknowledge the extraordinary leadership, vision, and commitment of… John ‘Woody’ Winning and John ‘Herman’ Winning”, longstanding members of the REYC who are responsible for the entry. “Their decision to embark upon an America’s Cup campaign of this magnitude reflects a genuine desire to advance sailing in Australia, inspire future generations, and once again place our nation at the forefront of the international stage,” says Runow.

The Foil had long been tipped off to expect an Australian entry. This confirmation was supposed to be published later this week, but – says the Commodore – it has been pushed forward a couple of days. “Given the imminent publication of a story in the Sydney Morning Herald, we considered it appropriate to advise members at the earliest opportunity,” he explains.

Details about the entry and who has been lined up to sail will inevitably follow. It marks the first Aussie challenge since a young Jimmy Spithill skippered the last 26 years ago in 2000. Safe to say it will be regarded as a welcome return.

Meanwhile, GB1 has listed the senior Challenger of Record four-man crew who will race one of its two one-design AC40s in the Preliminary Regatta in Cagliari later this month.

Skipper, co-helm and reigning SailGP champion Dylan Fletcher will be joined on the opposite helm by Ben Cornish, the three-time America’s Cup campaigned and Finn World Cup Series winner. 

The trimmers will be four-time America’s Cup sailor and fluid dynamics engineer Bleddyn Mon, alongside Andrea Tesei, who joins from Italy’s Luna Rossa team. Tesei, a former 49er sailor, is also an Italian national champion. 

“This first Preliminary Regatta is a great opportunity to get back on the racecourse,” said Fletcher. “The level across the fleet will be extremely high from the outset, so this regatta is an important chance to test ourselves, continue developing as a team and represent Britain on the international stage once again.”

The other GB1 AC40 will be raced in Sardinia by Hannah Mills’ Athena Pathway crew as for the first time Women’s and Youth line-ups compete directly against senior squads on equal terms. The two AC40 teams have recently completed three training camps together in Cagliari, inevitably with a friendly rivalry brewing between them.

Alongside skipper and double Olympic gold medallist Mills, on the opposite helm will be Ellie Aldridge, Paris 2024 Formula Kite Olympic gold medallist. 

The two trimmers will come from the Athena Pathway Youth Programme. Matt Beck rejoins the team after competing in the previous Youth America’s Cup campaign, while newcomer Sam Webb completes the line-up, having progressed through trialist selection process featuring many of the UK’s leading youth sailing talents. 

“It’s been great to train alongside Hannah and the Athena Pathway team in the lead-up to the event,” said Fletcher. “We’ve had some competitive sessions in Cagliari, and while there’s a lot of mutual respect between the teams off the water, once the racing starts everyone wants to come out on top.”

“The racing is going to be great to watch with eight AC40s all fighting it out on the start line in Cagliari, the action will be spectacular,” added Ainslie, who long-term faces a legal challenge from Ratcliffe over the ownership of the team’s AC75. “GB1 has been training hard alongside our Athena Pathway team, and we’re looking forward to getting out there and seeing where we stand against the other teams. 

“Race Day One in Sardina will be a key milestone and a proud moment for the whole group as we return to the water to compete.”