Britain's America's Cup Team unveils 'GB1' identity and Dylan Fletcher as 38th America's Cup Helm

by GB1 21 Jan 22:20 NZDT

Britain's America's Cup Team, representing the Challenger of Record, Royal Yacht Squadron Racing Ltd, has unveiled GB1. The bold new team name and identity signals a new era of British racing on the world's most demanding sailing stage. The reveal was made in Naples, ahead of a special event where the five founding teams of the America's Cup Partnership (ACP) celebrated the start of a historic new era for the oldest trophy in international sporting competition.

GB1, the new identity of Athena Racing, the British America's Cup team founded by Sir Ben Ainslie in 2014 which has competed in the last three America's Cups, marked the start of this new chapter with the confirmation that one of Britain's most accomplished sailors, Dylan Fletcher MBE, will return for his second America's Cup as helm. Fletcher holds Olympic gold and is the current SailGP Champion, alongside the historic achievements of 2024, when he competed in the 37th America's Cup Match in Barcelona as co-helm with Sir Ben Ainslie, becoming the first British team to win the America's Cup Challenger Series and the first in 60 years to reach the America's Cup Match.

Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Principal for GB1, said: "GB1 is delighted to secure Dylan as our helm for AC38. He has worked extremely hard to earn the seat, and his results on the water don't lie. Olympic and SailGP champion, and an America's Cup finalist all in the space of five years, these are no mean feats and highlight his absolute dedication to performance on the water."

Fletcher commented: "I'm buzzing to be back in the America's Cup with the British Challenger. Reaching the final last time out was a great achievement for the team, but getting so close drives us on even more. I know how committed the whole organisation is to winning the Cup for Britain. There is a huge amount of work to do, and I can't wait to get stuck in."

As the team looks ahead to the 38th America's Cup in Naples, GB1 represents a bold expression of British performance and ambition, drawing on the barrier-breaking legacy of a nation formed by tides, exploration and ingenuity. Its future-facing design philosophy is rooted in sailing symbolism: bold reds, whites and blues that echo the iconic Union Jack, sharp angles and soft corners that express speed, precision and technical excellence. An icon informed by international maritime signal flags and a name, GB1, that embraces the fast-paced language of racing. The result is a distinctly British symbol, one that represents the daring, unexpected and quietly rebellious spirit of a team the nation can be proud of.

The ACP event in Naples will mark the first time the five founding teams (Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), GB1 (GBR), Luna Rossa (ITA), Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI), and K-Challenge (FRA)) have come together since uniting to create an exciting new future for the world's oldest sporting competition through the America's Cup Partnership (ACP). This historic agreement represents the first time in the event's 175-year history that competing teams have joined under a shared governance and commercial structure to more permanently manage the competition, share economics, and maximise engagement with America's Cup fans around the world.

Ian Walker, CEO of GB1, commented: "Today will be a landmark moment to have all the ACP teams together in the host venue, setting the tone of collaboration to make AC38 the biggest event in the competition's history and provide the continuity to build from there. However, on the water we know the competition will be as fierce as ever, and the Bay of Naples is going to be a spectacular arena for these incredible racing machines. The countdown is on!"

As part of the announcement in Naples, ACP will reveal the dates for the America's Cup Match. This will be a significant milestone that all challenging teams will be aiming for, as the winner of the Challenger Selection Series earns the right to take on the Defender. This follows last week's confirmation of the first preliminary regatta of AC38, set to take place in Cagliari 21-24 May 2026 using AC40 Race Boats.

One of the British Team's key commitments remains the same: to create a pathway for the next generation of British sailors into the America's Cup and other high-performance sailing events. In Naples, Hannah Mills OBE, Team Principal for the Athena Pathway Programme and helm for the second edition of the Women's America's Cup Team, officially opened the British application process for the Youth Team.

Hannah Mills OBE, Team Principal of Athena Pathway, said: "The 38th America's Cup will be the first time women will race on every competing boat, which is a hugely important moment for our sport. It will create a pathway of equality for future generations of sailors, something we have championed through the Athena Pathway over the last five years. The return of the women's and youth competitions is equally significant, providing opportunities to inspire and develop the next generation and ensuring that the top end of our sport is inclusive and forward-focused."