Emirates Team New Zealand has named Nathan Outteridge as skipper and confirmed key crew for AC38, including surprise recruit Chris Draper. The move hints at relaxed nationality rules as anticipation builds for the protocol release and venue announcement.
Emirates Team New Zealand has revealed the core group of sailors that will spearhead the team’s attempt to defend the America’s Cup for the third consecutive time.
The announcement was made today in just about the most understated way possible via the briefest of stories on the team website which was mirrored across social media. The accompanying images show the group around a boardroom table 'plotting the strategy to defend the America’s Cup again in 2027'.
This week’s announcement that the challenger line-up for the 38th America’s Cup will include a United States entry – in the form of the newly-formed American Racing Challenger Team USA syndicate – comes as a welcome breath of fresh air for yachting’s oldest and most prestigious competition.
French sailor Guirec Soudée has just broken a solo, non-stop record that has stood for 22 years for sailing around the world. Actually, strike that, he’s smashed it. Not only that but he’s done so on a boat that many would regard as singularly unsuited for the purpose.
France’s dominance of singlehanded offshore racing can be traced back to one event: the proving ground known as La Solitaire du Figaro. Check the list of Vendée Globe winners and you will struggle to find one that did not establish their singlehanded racing credentials with a win in ‘the Figaro’.
With a new title sponsor and a slew of new talent on the sailing team, the French America’s Cup campaigners are looking to shake off their mantle of plucky underdogs, and have set their sights on going the distance in the Challenger selection series at the 38th America’s Cup.
This week’s announcement that the challenger line-up for the 38th America’s Cup will include a United States entry – in the form of the newly-formed American Racing Challenger Team USA syndicate – comes as a welcome breath of fresh air for yachting’s oldest and most prestigious competition.
ICE Yachts’ new Felci-designed flagship model is a masterclass in developing a yacht that is precisely attuned to its owner’s style of sailing.
On the latest episode of the Yacht Racing Life Podcast I catch up with British yachtsman Chris Draper to discuss his move to join the America’s Cup defender Emirates Team New Zealand and life inside one of the most successful teams in modern sailing.
Philippe Presti is known for his unassuming style and easy smile. But when I caught up with him recently in Lorient at the launch of the French America’s Cup challenger La Roche-Posay Racing Team, that trademark smile seemed even broader than usual – and with good reason.
