The Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club is almost 105 years old and challenger number six in the 38th America's Cup cycle. Team Australia will be competing under its umbrella with the support of online pioneer John "Herman" Winning Jr. and his family, who had already spurred on the two Australian teams in the Youth and Women's America's Cup in 2024. A successful sailor himself, Winning skippered Andoo Comanche to line honours in the 2022 Rolex Sydney Hobart Race.
Australia's sailors made history in 1983 as the first nation to snatch the America's Cup from the Americans. Back then John Bertrand's crew on "Australia II" defeated the US yacht "Liberty"with Dennis Conner, gave Australia one of the greatest sporting triumphs in its history. The last time an Australian team took part in the challenger round of the 29th America's Cup was in Auckland in 2000: Jimmy Spithill, aged just 20, took part with Young Australia, showing his talent despite having an outdated boat.
Long-cherished dreams come true for Australia's top sailors
Now Team Australia has signed up none other than Tom Slingsby to lead its sailing team. The 41-year-old has already won the America's Cup in 2013 with the American team BMW Oracle Racing in a dramatic comeback victory over New Zealand. Prior to that, Tom Slingsby celebrated Olympic Laser gold in Weymouth in 2012. The Australian is now a three-time SailGP record champion. His Bonds Flying Roos lead after three event victories also in the current sixth season the table of the SailGP season championship to.
Tom Slingsby takes up his new challenge after his most recent Cup appearance in Barcelona 2024 "The opportunity to represent Australia in the America's Cup with an Australian team really means a lot to me. It has been my dream throughout my career to help bring Australia back to the Cup in a meaningful way. To now have this opportunity alongside Herman Winning, a close friend for more than 30 years, makes it even more special."
There is great enthusiasm for what we are building together. I'm incredibly proud to be part of the start of this new chapter for Australian sailing." Tom Slingsby
And the two-time Rolex World Sailor of the Year has another maestro at his side as head of the performance and design department: Glenn Ashby, 48 years old, compatriot and 2017 America's Cup winner with Team New Zealand, is attacking with Team Australia. Both Slingsby and Ashby are proven foiling experts. According to consistent media reports, the Australians have taken over "Te Rehutai", the 2021 New Zealand Cup winner, which served as a test platform at the 2024 Barcelona Cup. No new constructions are permitted in the 38th America's Cup, only conversions.
Back to the sailing summit with Australia
Glenn Ashby, who broke his tibia and fibula just last weekend at the SailGP off Bermuda, is as excited about the challenge as Tom Slingsby, said: "For more than half my career I have had this dream of seeing Australia return to the pinnacle event of our sailing: the America's Cup."
Glenn Ashby continued: "As Aussies, we love our sport and the connection and camaraderie it brings. It is a great honour to help write and be part of a new and significant chapter in Australian sport, while honouring and respecting the legacy of those who came before us. Team Australia aims to build on that legacy, combining Australian expertise and experience with new talent to shape the future across different divisions."
Team Australia's CEO is also well-known in the America's Cup world: Grant Simmer has helped shape 13 Cup editions in a wide variety of roles. Initially, as a young navigator on "Australia II", he was part of John Bertrand's crew on the historic 1983 Cup triumph. He later took on roles as Head of Design and Team Manager for various campaigns. He celebrated great success with the Swiss team Alinghi. Ernesto Bertarelli's racing team, to whose quality chief designer Rolf Vrolijk also made a significant contribution, won the Cup in 2003 and 2007.
The 14th America's Cup for Grant Simmer
Commenting on Team Australia's involvement in the 38th America's Cup cycle, Grant Simmer said: "For me, this campaign is both very personal and incredibly exciting. I first came into contact with the America's Cup in the early 1980s and was fortunate enough to be part of the legendary 'Australia II' team that changed the course of the Cup forever."
Since then, Grant Simmer has been involved in every America's Cup edition, including Australia's successful hosting of the 1987 event in Fremantle, which is still regarded as one of the pinnacles of the 175-year history. Simmer says: "Over the decades, Australian talent has spread to teams all over the world. Thanks to John Winning and this new challenge, we now have the opportunity to bring that talent back together to compete for Australia once again."
Speaking about his motivation, the Australian sailor and yacht designer, born in 1957, said: "What excites me most is helping to build the next generation of Australian America's Cup sailors, designers and engineers, while creating a long-term foundation for Australia in the modern age of the Cup."
Cup comeback: with the spirit of the past and the expertise of today
This also includes Australia's female sailors. Tash Bryant, also known from the SailGP, is part of Team Australia's line-up. She says: "It feels like an exciting new era for the America's Cup. The evolution of the boats and the competition opens up wider opportunities and more visibility for women in top-level sailing, while creating clearer pathways for younger generations entering the sport."
Team Australia will also take a seat on the board of the new America's Cup Partnership (ACP). Grant Dalton, ACP Chairman and New Zealand Team Principal, said of Australia's Cup comeback: "History tells us that sailors from Down Under have a habit of being among the best in the America's Cup. I am delighted both as ACP Chairman and as CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand to welcome Australia back to the America's Cup."
Australia's America's Cup triumph in 1983 is a piece of history that unites the country's sailors and continues to drive them forward:
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
