Athena Racing has secured a majority ownership investment from Oakley Capital.
The investment will provide the British America’s Cup racing team which is headed by Sir Ben Ainslie with long-term financial stability to compete not only in the next edition of the America’s Cup but across multiple future cycles.
It will also enable Athena to take advantage of the newly created partnership governing the America’s Cup.
The partnership, which Athena is a founding member of, is aimed at boosting the commercial appeal of the world’s most prestigious sailing competition.
The investment from Oakley Capital establishes a new ownership structure for Athena Racing.
I’d like to pay credit to Peter Dubens and the team at Oakley Capital for the critical role they have played in helping Athena and the other teams to shape this new partnership for the America’s Cup.
Sir Ben Ainslie
As part of the team’s updated structure, Ainslie will focus on governance, commercial development while continuing to support the performance programme.
He is joined by the newly appointed chief executive officer Ian Walker and Nick Holroyd who has re-signed as head of design.
“I’d like to pay credit to Peter Dubens and the team at Oakley Capital for the critical role they have played in helping Athena and the other teams to shape this new partnership for the America’s Cup,” said Ainslie.
“Previously a defender-led, winner-takes-all format, the America’s Cup now moves into a unified chapter that gives every team a seat at the table and a shared focus on commercial growth and continued technical innovation.
America’s Cup Partnership
“With Oakley’s backing and expertise, and by drawing on the next generation of sailors with our Athena Pathway Programme, Athena is well positioned to help grow the Cup into one of the world’s most iconic and commercially successful sporting properties.”
Sir Ben Ainslie will retain a shareholding in Athena Racing, and also remain part of the developing Athena Sports Group (ASG).
ASG also comprises a majority ownership of Emirates Great Britain SailGP team and the Athena Pathway Programme, the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup teams, formed to build a long-term equitable pathway into high-performance sailing.
The Oakley investment follows the establishment of the America’s Cup Partnership (ACP), jointly founded by the Challenger of Record, Britain’s Athena Racing representing the Royal Yacht Squadron, Defender Emirates Team New Zealand, and other competitors, which aims to grow and commercialise the event.
Pinnacle of sailing
For the first time in the event’s history, all competing teams now have a seat on the ACP Board, supported by an independent executive leadership team focused on commercial expansion, audience growth, and long-term development.
“The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of sailing and an icon of sport, won by only four nations since 1851,” said Peter Dubens, co-founder and managing partner, Oakley Capital.
“With strong governance and a neutral management team focused on audience and media growth, the competition is set to broaden its appeal, improve accessibility and ensure long-term sustainability.”
