A new US challenger is set to put its hat into the ring for the 38th America’s Cup in 2027.
Riptide Racing has announced the attempt in partnership with Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club saying it feels the team can mount a challenge and secure enough initial backing to meet the funding timeline within the event’s late entry deadline of January 31 2026.
The announcement follows on from the withdrawal of the American Magic team following a review of the event’s Protocol and Partnership Agreement.
The Riptide Racing team will be skippered by Chris Poole, a professional sailor on the World Match Race Tour.
To compete in the America’s Cup has always been a dream and my goal when we created Riptide Racing.
Chris Poole
“To compete in the America’s Cup has always been a dream and my goal when we created Riptide Racing,” he explained.
“The USA has been immersed in the America’s Cup since the beginning, and in recent years the shift to foiling has opened new opportunities for sailors, and brought in new followers to the Cup.”
He continued: “With the possible absence of an American team in the next cup, the country involved in the competition’s founding, there’s an opportunity for new American sailors like the team from Riptide Racing to continue the campaign and bring the Auld Mug back to the United States.”
The team now plans to acquire an existing America’s Cup AC75 package and support assets from one of the America’s Cup teams, an approach which will provide it with immediate access to proven assets, design data, and infrastructure.
Number one team
A fundraising goal of $50 million dollars has been set for the challenge, which the team believes will get it to the starting line in competitive form.
“Riptide Racing has been the number one team in match racing for the past four years, and as we all know, the America’s Cup is still a match race,” said Seawanhaka commodore Julian Fisher.
“The Club will do everything it can to support Chris and his team to get this challenge off the ground by the January 31 2026 entry deadline.”
The Riptide Racing sailing team was founded in 2012 and is based out of Oyster Bay, NY, sailing for Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club.
Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club was established in 1871.
