Team Australia is seriously stacked

The last time an official Australian team competed in the America’s Cup was 2000, and despite the nation’s return for the 38th America’s Cup skipping a generation, the crew reveal for Team Australia is seriously stacked. The Aussies have been involved, but in 2027 they finally get to wear the Green and Gold.

Led by Head of Sailing Tom Slingsby OAM, the seven-strong team brings together some of the world’s most accomplished sailors across Olympic, America’s Cup, SailGP, offshore, skiff, and international foiling competition.

The Australian team comprises Luke Parkinson, Tash Bryant, Tom Needham, Jason Waterhouse, Sam Newton, and Kinley Fowler. It will be the first time any of the seven sailors has challenged for the America’s Cup representing Australia.

Collectively, the team brings experience from four Olympic Games appearances and nine senior America’s Cup campaigns, alongside 24 world championship titles and 13 SailGP championship titles. The line-up includes three members of ORACLE TEAM USA’s victorious 2013 America’s Cup crew – Slingsby, Newton and Fowler.

The team line-up follows a week-long simulator training block on Sydney’s Northern Beaches in August. The sailors tested crew combinations, communication systems, and race scenarios while developing the shared decision-making required to race an AC75.

“It is an incredibly proud moment to announce this elite group of sailors who will represent Team Australia in our campaign for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup,” said Slingsby.

“We set out to bring together the strongest possible Australian sailing team, and I believe we have done just that. This group includes Olympic medalists, America’s Cup winners, world champions and SailGP champions, but just as importantly, every sailor has been selected for the specific qualities they can bring to an AC75 campaign.

“We have proven winners alongside some of Australia’s most exciting emerging foiling and technical talent. Each sailor brings a different strength, from racecraft and flight control to engineering, systems, and campaign experience.

“Our first simulator block allowed us to test combinations, sharpen our communication and begin building the shared instincts we’ll need aboard the AC75. We made strong progress, but selection is only the beginning. There is an enormous amount of work ahead to ensure we represent Australia at our very best.”

For the first time in America’s Cup history, each AC75 race crew must include at least one female sailor. The boats will also use battery-powered systems, placing greater emphasis on sailing skill, strategy and flight control.

Due to their late entry, the team was permitted to sit out the two Preliminary Regattas in 2026.

For team biographies, click here.

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
• GB1 (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. In 2027, Challenger racing is May 22 to July 4 before the 38th Match on July 10-19. Full details.

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.

Source: America’s Cup