The challenge has already been officially accepted: The American Racing Challenger Team USA (ARCT USA for short) has been confirmed as the official Challenger for the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup. The challenging club is the Yacht Club Sail Newport. In a press statement on 8 April, the Cup organisers described the Cup comeback as a "milestone for American sailing on the international stage".
After 30 America's Cup victories: America is at it again
The Americans have won the Cup 30 times since its premiere in 1851. As the historically dominant nation, they defended the "bottomless silver jug" for a whopping 132 years after winning the inaugural Cup until 1983. Further victories followed in 1987, 1988, 1992, 2010 and 2013, but they have not come close to the top of the Cup since then. That is set to change again.
The American Racing Challenger Team USA (ARCT USA) is described by its own American team as "a vision of entrepreneurs Karel Komárek and Chris Welch". Ken Read has taken over the team management. Although the internationally successful sailor grew up in Seekonk, Massachusetts, he spent his summers sailing off Rhode Island.
Read already shone in college sport. In 2000 and 2003, he was the helmsman for the late "Stars & Stripes" campaigns of "Mister America's Cup" Dennis Conner. Read, now 64, accompanied the 2013, 2017 and 2021 editions of the Cup as a TV commentator. Prior to that, he made the Ocean Race around the world his race, joining Team Ericsson for the last four legs of the 2005/2006 edition and was skipper and CEO for the Puma Ocean Racing Team and its "Il Mostro" in 2008/2009. He returned in 2011 and led the Puma Ocean Racing team around the world again with "Mar Mostro". The "Pumas" finished in second and third place on the podium each time.
38th Cup cycle: four challengers become five
Ken Read also became known in 2021 as the new President of the North Technology Group. The American has been working for North since 1996, repeatedly taking sabbaticals for his major summits. Now he wants to do it again in the Cup. The US challenge brings good news to the Cup world: four challengers for the 38th America's Cup in 2027 will become five.
Ken Read looks forward to the big challenge with a lot of pride, a dose of realism and powerful ambition, saying: "To have the opportunity to represent the United States again in the Cup is a tremendous honour. We are under no illusions about the challenges ahead and are fully focused on building a team that can win the Cup. We look forward to building a programme that American sailors can be proud of and creating a legacy that will last far into the future."
Marzio Perrelli, recently elected CEO of the new America's Cup Partnership (ACP), is naturally excited about the new challengers, whose activities have been discussed behind the scenes in Cup circles for some time: "Having a strong team from the USA is something we very much welcome. The American Racing Challenger Team USA has an impressive management team that has already acquired the assets of American Magic. That makes Sail Newport's challenge a serious contender."
With "American Magic": The new US challengers use the boats of their predecessors
The ARCT USA is therefore not starting its challenge from scratch. As the upcoming Cup edition will be held on the already used but refurbished AC75 yachts, the acquisition of such a foiler was essential. The new American challengers have taken over AC75 yacht "Patriot" and the two AC40 platforms from Team American Magic.
The resources will, according to the team press release, "enable the American Racing Challenger Team USA to be on the start line for the 38th America's Cup in Naples in the spring of 2027". The team and Sail Newport are publicly delighted to have the national sailing association US Sailing on board with their initiative. The initial goals of the campaign were to promote young talent and create opportunities for female sailors. The team aims to help "ensure a more inclusive and accessible future for American sailing".
The co-founder and chairman of the American Racing Challenger Team USA is Karel Komárek, a Czech billionaire. He also owns the "Wallycento V", which won the North Sound Maxi Regatta in March. Komárek said: "The America's Cup represents the pinnacle of innovation, performance and international competition in sailing. We are proud to once again bring an American challenger to the forefront of this historic event. This is a decision we have made with great care and clear intent: We only wanted to move forward with the right partners."
The new team from the most successful Cup country announces "powerful brands"
It is Sail Newport's tradition and commitment that makes Rhode Island's public sailing centre "an inspiring partner" not only for elite sailing, but also for the development of American sailing at its grassroots level and the opening up of the sport.
Another co-founder of the team and Vice Chairman is Chris Welsh. He said that "this opportunity goes far beyond the competition". It is about seizing a rare opportunity to help shape the first chapter in the new era of the America's Cup. For the 38th Cup, the format has been revolutionised in consultation between the New Zealand Defenders and the British Challenger of Record. The teams determine in the America's Cup Partnership together on the most important issues for the present and future.
Chris Welsh also explained another motivation behind the US challenge to the Cup: "Karel and I are proud to play a role in bringing the world's most successful nation back to this iconic stage, alongside some of America's most powerful and recognisable brands."
First Cup pre-regatta in May off Cagliari
The other four challengers to Emirates Team New Zealand are Sir Ben Ainslie's Team GB1, Patrizio Bertelli's Team Luna Rossa, Ernesto Bertarelli's Tudor Team Alinghi and the French La Roche-Posay Racing Team. The first pre-regatta for the America's Cup will take place from 21 to 24 May on AC40 yachts off Cagliari. The challenger round for the 38th Louis Vuitton America's Cup and the Cup match (from 10 July 2027) will take place off Naples.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
