American Racing Challenger Team USA snaps up Britain’s Giles Scott as sailing director

Scott, 39 – a four-time Finn Gold Cup winner who previously campaigned twice in the America’s Cup with Sir Ben Ainslie’s British team and currently leads the Canadian NorthStar SailGP team – has not been announced as skipper of the US challenger, but will report directly to team CEO Ken Read.

“I’m delighted to be joining American Racing Challenger at such an important moment for the team,” Scott said today. “The America’s Cup is an incredible challenge blending fast-paced racing with cutting edge technical development, making it one of the most demanding and exciting competitions in the sport.

“This project brings together a compelling vision, strong leadership, and a real desire to compete at the very top. I’m looking forward to working closely with Ken and the wider team to build a competitive program and ensure we’re as prepared as possible heading into the Cup.”

Read described Scott as ‘one of the most accomplished sailors of his generation’, and said his experience, mindset, and attention to detail would be invaluable to the newly-formed US campaign.

“Bringing the right people together is absolutely critical to delivering on our vision, and Giles is a perfect example of the calibre we’re assembling,” Read said. “With the timeframes we’re working to, getting the chemistry right from day one is essential. You need a group that can come together quickly, trust each other, and perform under extreme pressure – Giles will play a huge role in helping us build that environment.”

In AC37 Scott lost his driver’s seat opposite Ainslie shortly before racing began in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Series, but received major plaudits for his continuing commitment to the campaign as head of sailing, as the British made it through to the 37th America’s Cup Match where they lost 7–2 to the Cup holders Emirates Team New Zealand.

With the American team seemingly well-funded, but undeniably late to the party for AC38, Scott will have to hit the ground running in his new role as he casts around for suitable candidates to make up the US America’s Cup squad. Likely candidates will probably include ex-American Magic sailors such as Michael Menninger, Andrew Scott, Lucas Calabrese, and Harry Melges – but the team may also choose to bring in some less well known talent from the US Olympic system.

The American team will not be competing in the first preliminary regatta of AC38 in Cagliari, Sardinia next month, but Scott will no doubt be keen to recruit a squad as quickly as possible and start to make use of the two AC40s and the simulator that are believed to have been part of the assets purchased from American Magic.