Karel Komárek: About business and yachting

Czech businessman Karel Komárek competes on the maxi yacht racing circuit and has an ownership stake in the Ferretti Group, a shipbuilding company of luxury sail and power yachts. He’s also co-founder of the American Racing Challenger Team USA for the America’s Cup and provides this update for Bill Springer in Forbes:

I see your Wally Cento maxi racing yacht team V has been racing—and winning—for a while now. How does yacht racing fit into your life?

Yacht racing brings together several things I enjoy: competition, teamwork and precision. Our team V races against some of the best crews in the world and the level of competition constantly pushes us to improve. Last season we competed across the Mediterranean circuit, including PalmaVela, the Maxi Europeans in Sorrento and Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, where we finished the season with a win in the Maxi 1 class.

What I particularly enjoy is the challenge of racing at this level. Every regatta is different: sometimes you win after a perfect race, sometimes you have to deal with setbacks or technical problems. It teaches resilience and adaptability, which are qualities that matter in both sport and business.

On a personal level, sailing also gives me clarity and balance. When you are on the water everything becomes very simple — the wind, the boat and the team. It forces you to be fully present, and it reminds you that success always depends on trust, preparation and teamwork. – Full report

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

Defender New Zealand and Challenger of Record from Great Britain confirmed the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup on August 12, 2025. The close of the initial entry period was October 31, 2025, with late entries considered up to March 31, 2026.

Current entrants:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Defender
• Athena Racing (GBR) – Challenger of Record
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) – Challenger
• La Roche-Posay Racing Team (FRA) – Challenger
• American Racing Challenger Team USA (USA) – Challenger

After the 2024 event, Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition, with the venue moved to Naples, Italy. Challenger racing begins in the spring before the 38th Match on July 10-18, 2027.

Preliminary Regattas:*
May 21-24 – Cagliari, Sardinia

* More are to be announced.