Inside AC: How USA can catch up

Inside America’s Cup with host Niall Myant-Best is the official podcast of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, with each episode going under the surface of one of the most competitive and secretive sports events in the world, and explaining the decisions that separate winning from losing.

American Racing Challenger Team USA, representing Sail Newport, submitted entry for the 38th America’s Cup by the late deadline of March 31, 2026. How do they expect to compete against the seasoned teams when racing is real in 2027?

Myant-Best visits ARC Team USA’s temporary Naples base to learn from CEO Ken Read about balancing the immediate pressure to catch up with a plan that stretches beyond a single campaign.

From a makeshift sail loft to their AC75 being rebuilt in Pensacola, Read talks through the workload, the people and the culture behind the program. He explains the role Giles Scott plays, and what brought him back to the America’s Cup.

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.

The AC75 has a helm and trimmer on each side of the boat along with a fifth crew position and a sixth passenger position.

38th America’s Cup: https://www.americascup.com/

38th America’s Cup 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 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: AC media