America's Cup: Tudor Team Alinghi announce Sardinia line-up
by Tudor Team Alinghi 23 Apr 05:27 PDT
Tudor Team Alinghi sailing crew (L to R) Jason Waterhouse, Nathalie Brügger, Phil Robertson, Paul Goodison, Pietro Sibello and Nicolas Rolaz. - April 22, 2026 © Samo Vidic/Tudor Team Alinghi
At the end of December 2025, Tudor Team Alinghi confirmed its participation in the 38th America’s Cup, bringing long awaited clarity to its future in the competition.
Since then, the team has kept a low profile publicly while working intensively behind the scenes, growing from seven people to around 50 team members today.
With its boats based in Barcelona, the team has begun its on-water preparation on the waters that hosted the last America’s Cup. While the sailing team is not yet final – the AC40 requires fewer sailors on board than the AC75 racing yacht – the Swiss challenger is actively testing different sailor configurations.
Significantly refreshed since the last Cup, partly due to rule changes, the Team has now identified the five sailors who will be in Sardinia for the opening regatta of the 38th America’s Cup. The crew is led by Olympic and multiple world champion Paul Goodison (GBR), Skipper and Helmsman, and consists of (in alphabetical order):
- Nathalie Brugger (SUI) – Helmswoman in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup in 2024 with Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
- Phil Robertson (NZL) – Helmsman; previously coach of the team during the 37th America’s Cup campaign.
- Nicolas Rolaz (SUI) – Trimmer; the youngest Team Member, preparing for his second America’s Cup.
- Pietro Sibello (ITA) – Trimmer; Head Coach during the last campaign, now eligible as a national sailor for the current event under the rules.
- Jason Waterhouse (AUS) – Helmsman/Trimmer, as well with the coaching team during the 37th America’s Cup.
“We’ve been sailing in this line-up for only a week,” says Dave Endean, Team Director Technical & Sailing, who has already been involved in six America’s Cup campaigns. “We are rebuilding the team by combining highly experienced sailors with younger talents. We see ourselves as playing catch-up and know there is a lot of hard work ahead, but that is exactly what motivates us.”
Skipper Paul Goodison adds: “Even though we are still a new crew together, I have been impressed by how quickly strong connections have formed on board. We are now eager to line up against the other teams and measure ourselves on the racecourse.”
Following the current training block in Barcelona, the team will pack up and head to Italy, where it will regroup on the water in mid-May in Sardinia to finalise its preparation for the preliminary regatta in Cagliari.