AC38 finally has a US team. American Racing Challenger, led by sailing legend Ken Read and sports investor Chris Welch, enters the race late, without an AC75 in the water and with the odds stacked against them. But they have a plan.
Niall Myant-Best sits down with both men to find out how this team came together, what the America’s Cup Partnership changes for challengers like them, and whether a brand-new team can genuinely compete in Naples 2027.
0:00 Intro
1:04 How American Racing Challenger Was Born
4:42 Why the ACP Changes Everything
6:35 Is the America’s Cup Still Ruthlessly Competitive?
7:33 Can a Late Entrant Actually Win?
9:34 Assets, Staff and American Magic’s Legacy
10:00 The Budget Cap Reality
12:02 Building an American Sailing Team
13:10 On the Water: AC40s, Simulators and the AC75
15:55 The Long Game: Winning in 2029 and 2031
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The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will be defended in Naples in 2027 by five-time America’s Cup winner, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron represented by their team, @EmiratesTeamNZ .
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