SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - After a hiatus spanning more than 25 years, Australia has officially lodged its challenge for the 38th America's Cup. The Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club (RPEYC), based in Sydney, confirmed its submission to the New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the defender of the historic sailing trophy. This move signals Australia's re-entry into the prestigious competition, with the next edition slated for Naples, Italy, in 2027.
The challenge, issued on Wednesday, May 14th, 2026, ends a 25-year drought for Australia in the America's Cup. The RPEYC's participation places them among a growing field of challengers, which currently includes teams from the United States, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, and Italy, bringing the total number of competing teams, including the defender Emirates Team New Zealand, to seven.
A New Chapter for Australian Sailing
The return of an Australian-flagged team is being framed as a significant moment for the sport within the nation. Team Australia has been formally announced, with the Winning family reportedly behind the initiative. This endeavour marks the first time the RPEYC has served as a challenging yacht club. Officials from the America's Cup Partnership (ACP) have extended a welcome, emphasizing the importance of Australian representation and ambition for the future of sailing.
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Insights from within the sailing community suggest that the current success of Australian talent, particularly Tom Slingby's Australian-flagged SailGP team, may have influenced this resurgence. While Australian sailors and designers have been integral to numerous winning campaigns for other nations since their last direct challenge, a dedicated Australian team has been absent.
Technical and Structural Shifts
The upcoming America's Cup in Naples is set to incorporate new elements. For the first time, the competition will mandate the inclusion of at least one female sailor per crew. The event will feature AC75 foiling monohulls, with a noted shift towards battery-powered systems. This transition is expected to place a greater emphasis on crew skill, strategic execution, and flight control. Furthermore, the structure aims to strengthen connections between the Youth and Women's America's Cup programs and the senior teams.
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Historical Context
Australia has a storied past in the America's Cup, most notably their victory in 1983 with Australia II, which broke the New York Yacht Club's 132-year winning streak. That campaign, skippered by John Bertrand and designed by Ben Lexcen, is a landmark achievement in the sport's history. The protocol for the 38th America's Cup was confirmed by Emirates Team New Zealand and the Challenger of Record from Great Britain on August 12, 2025, with the initial entry period closing on October 31, 2025. Late entries were considered until March 31, 2026.
