Should America’s Cup be social topic?

If the America’s Cup is among the Alps of sailing, does the event risk losing altitude when participation is not solely based on ability? The 38th edition mandates each crew have a woman, which is a growing policy in the sport. British Olympic champion Hannah Mills, who has benefited from this trend, shares her opinion:

It’s a really powerful moment in the sport right now. I understand the argument of mandatory quotas versus the “best people for the job”. But I think there is no meritocracy if you don’t create the same opportunity at the starting point.

So I think it is actually very important to support women breaking through to the top sailing positions, and I cannot wait to see more and more women on board!

Looking at the experience of the AC40, where there is a 50-50 team between women and young people, I can say that mixed teams are much more enriching, because you have different points of view and so you can get the whole picture, which in strategic terms can be more performing.

Compared to the last edition of the Americas’ Cup – where women had a separate competition – this time it is just so exciting to compete all together, I think it’s more interesting for everyone.

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
• Team Australia (AUS) – 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 22-24, 2026 – Cagliari, Italy
September 24-27 – Naples, Italy

* The Protocol noted how there would be as many Preliminary Regattas as possible, with the intent to have three during 2026 and one possibly in early 2027, and a final event at the Match Venue immediately prior to the challenger series. Only two have been thus far revealed.