Australia returns to AC

Grant Simmer, famously a member of the winning ‘Australia II’ campaign in 1983 that ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year winning streak, is appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Team Australia.

Chief Executive of Team Australia, Grant Simmer said, “For me, this campaign is both deeply personal and incredibly exciting.

“I first became involved in the America’s Cup in the early 1980s and was fortunate to be part of the legendary Australia II team that changed the course of the Cup forever. Since then, I’ve been involved in every America’s Cup edition, including Australia’s successful hosting of the event in Fremantle, still regarded as one of the greatest Cups in history.

“Over the decades, Australian talent has spread across 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 again for Australia.

What excites me most is helping build the next generation of Australian America’s Cup sailors, designers and engineers, while creating a long-term foundation for Australia in the modern era of the Cup.”

Tom Slingsby, Head of Sailing for Team Australia commented, “The opportunity to represent Australia in the America’s Cup with an Australian team is something that genuinely means a lot to me.

“It’s been a dream throughout my career to be part of bringing Australia back to the Cup in a meaningful way. To now have that opportunity alongside Herman Winning, a close friend of more than 30 years makes it even more special.

There’s a huge sense of excitement around what we’re building together, and I’m incredibly proud to be part of the beginning of this new chapter for Australian sailing.”

Glenn Ashby, Head of Performance and Design, and a confirmed inductee in October to the America’s Cup Hall of Fame, added, “For more than half my sailing career I have had a dream to see an Australian team return to the pinnacle event of our sport of sailing: The America’s Cup.

“As Aussies we love our sport, and the connectivity and camaraderie it brings. It is extremely humbling and a huge honour to help create and be part of a new and significant chapter in Australian sport, whilst honouring and respecting the legacy of those who have come before us.

“Team Australia aims to build on this legacy, combining expert Australian experience and knowledge with new talent to build into the future across multiple departments.

“This new team will leverage modern engineering and design tools, simulation and performance optimisation to ensure we hit the ground running in Naples, Italy, early next year.

This entry to sailing’s biggest stage was only possible with the desire, courage and belief of John Winning and family who have enabled the dream of so many, to become a reality.”

Team Australia will compete in the 38th America’s Cup using a high-performance AC75 foiling monohull. Reports indicate the team has purchased an existing AC75 from Emirates Team New Zealand, which will be modified to meet the latest rules for the 2027 regatta in Naples.

The Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup will mark a significant evolution for the event, with new AC75 rules requiring at least one female sailor to be included in each race crew for the first time in the competition’s history.

The shift to battery-powered systems will also place greater emphasis on skill, strategy and flight control, while continuing to strengthen pathways between the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup programs and senior teams.

Team Australia Sailor, Tash Bryant, said the changes represented an important moment for the future of the sport.

“This feels like an exciting new era for the America’s Cup,” she said.

“The evolution of the boats and the competition is opening the door to broader opportunities and visibility for women in elite sailing, while also creating clearer pathways for younger generations coming through the sport. For young Australian sailors watching this campaign launch today, that representation and ambition matter greatly.”

Team Australia will also accept a place on the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP) board.

Grant Dalton, Chairman of the ACP welcomed the team saying, “History tells us that antipodean sailing has a habit of turning out the very best in the America’s Cup, and I’m delighted both as Chairman of ACP and as CEO of Emirates Team New Zealand, to welcome Australia back to the America’s Cup.

“We know they will be fierce competitors, and we certainly know all about the deep sailing talent in Australia, plus we know that they have some extremely fast Women & Youth sailors coming through the ranks. We wish them all well and look forward to facing them on the starting line in Naples in the summer of 2027.”

Marzio Perrelli, Chief Executive Officer of the ACP, added his welcome to Team Australia, saying, “Officially our sixth challenger for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, Team Australia representing the Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club, have assembled an incredibly talented sporting group from the outset with deep experience.

“I look forward to working with the Team and welcoming them to the Board of the America’s Cup Partnership. Having Australia back in the America’s Cup is something to be celebrated and something that the whole of Australia can get behind.”

americascup.com
rpeyc.com.au