Foiled Again: America Is Back in the America’s Cup

The way things were looking, the 38th America’s Cup in 2027 would have been the first to run without a US entry since the schooner America first won the Cup in 1851. Now, just when we thought it was over, America slipped under the wire to pull an Easter rabbit out of the hat and enter the challenge, which will be hosted by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in Naples, Italy. The American Magic team that challenged for the 37th America’s Cup with the New York Yacht Club has sold its assets (boats and technology) to a new syndicate to be led by two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year and North Sails CEO, Ken Read. The syndicate is backed by entrepreneurs Karel Komárek and Chris Welch. Karel Komárek is an avid sailor and owner of the 100-ft Read-skippered maxi racing yacht V.

The team, American Racing Challenger Team USA, starts by having acquired American Magic’s AC75 yacht Patriot and the team’s two AC40s, which, if things advance rapidly, could be sailing in the preliminary regatta in Sardinia in about six weeks, May 21–24. It’s a late entry, but the team is apparently well-funded, with plans to be on the starting line for the 38th America’s Cup in Naples in spring 2027. The team will sail under the burgee of Sail Newport, a Rhode Island community sailing program run by Ken’s brother, Brad, that has been stupendously successful on both the local and global sailing stages.

The team will be using American Magic’s base in Pensacola, FL, to develop their challenge. It will have to move quickly to update the American Magic boat Patriot to the new rules for the 2027 match, which includes updating boats with stored power and reducing the crew on board to five.

So far sponsors, budgets, crew and many other elements of the campaign have yet to be announced, but we’ll be looking forward to at least seeing America in the game.