Tom Slingsby signs with USA Challenger

Tom Slingsby, an Olympic gold medalist in 2012 for Australia but holds dual citizenship with USA, has joined the New York Yacht Club American Magic challenge for the 37th America’s Cup.

While the Deed of Gift for the America’s Cup has no stipulation about the nationality of the crew competing, the Protocol for the 37th edition does include a Crew Nationality Rule, which in the case of Slingsby, he apparently fulfills as a passport holder of the country of the team’s yacht club.

It was nearly a decade ago when Slingsby helped another American team – when there was no nationality rule – win the 34th America’s Cup in 2013, and in 2024 he hopes to do it again.

“I’m extremely excited to return to the America’s Cup arena,” says Slingsby, 37. “The AC75s are remarkable craft, and I look forward to doing whatever I can to help our team in their quest to bring the trophy back to the United States and the New York Yacht Club. We’ve got world-class talent on board the boat and backing us on the shore, I’m proud and excited to be a part of it.”

In the last decade, Slingsby has won major championships in everything from 100-foot supermaxis to singlehanded foiling Moths including being named the 2021 Rolex World Sailor of the Year. In the first two seasons of SailGP, Slingsby has led the Australian Team to victory, a role that he will continue in for Season 3.

“People are the most valuable resource for any America’s Cup challenge, and we’re excited to have Tom on our team,” says Terry Hutchinson, Skipper and President of Sailing Operations for NYYC American Magic. “As a previous winner of the America’s Cup, Tom knows what it takes to climb that mountain. He has shown incredible ability in foiling yachts, and his skill and experience will be a tremendous asset for American Magic going forward.”

Slingsby joins fellow gold medalist Paul Goodison (GBR) who was the wing trimmer for American Magic in the 36th America’s Cup. While that edition did not include a Crew Nationality Rule, the 37th edition allows for foreign crew to continue with a team that they were a member of during the previous event.

With AC36 helm Dean Barker (NZL) no longer with the team, both Slingsby and Goodison have a clear path to the wheel when the team resumes on-the-water training this fall in Pensacola, FL.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on by March 30, 2022.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)

Details: https://www.americascup.com/en/home