CUP BLOG: CHALLENGER OF RECORD GB1 AT FULL TILT IN SARDINIA
It has been a busy week for the Challenger of Record, GB1, at their training camp in Cagliari, as the team prepare for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta, Sardinia, from 21-24 May 2026. Setting up a temporary base to train on the pristine waters of the Bay of Angels is the British challenge’s first step on the ‘Road to Naples’ in 2027 where they will be looking to go just one better than their result in the 37th America’s Cup.
Back in Barcelona in 2024, the British team were outstanding in defeating Luna Rossa in the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup (7-4) and in holding the famous Challenger's trophy high, became the first British team to qualify for the America’s Cup Match since Anthony Boyden's 'Sovereign' in 1964.
The Match itself looked one-sided from the outset, with Emirates Team New Zealand streaking into a four-race lead, but the British came alive on October 16th 2024 in races five and six. With the wind at the upper end of the range and sea-state running, the British team led by Sir Ben Ainslie, the most decorated sailing Olympian of all time, and Dylan Fletcher, himself an Olympic Gold medallist, stormed to victory, winning both races. It was the first time in 90 years, and you have to go back to the great Sir T.O.M. Sopwith in 1934 sailing the J Class ‘Endeavour,’ that Britain had won two races in an America’s Cup Match.
Ultimately the win was beyond them, as the Kiwis secured a 7-4 series win and retained the Cup, as the only team ever to do so, three times in a row. Since Barcelona, GB1 has been reborn with the backing of entrepreneur and investor Peter Dubens and his firm Oakley Capital. Ian Walker, the double Olympic silver medallist and round-the-world race winner has come in as CEO, and the focus has very much been on building for the future under the new America’s Cup Partnership structure.
Alongside the senior team, Hannah Mills OBE has continued her amazing work with the Athena Pathway programme that encourages young foiling talent and STEM students through to the pinnacle of the sport of sailing in a whole variety of roles. A recent trial session in Weymouth, UK, saw 21 eager finalists all battle it out to impress the selectors and we await news of who made the cut.
One that certainly did make the cut, but into the senior team, was the highly experienced and versatile trimmer and helmsman Ben Cornish. Ben was announced on Wednesday 11th March 2026 as the first ‘Sailor Signing’ of the new GB1 campaign for Naples 2027 – expect a flurry in the coming days.
Good things happening at GB1, the Challenger of Record, racing under the burgee of the Royal Yacht Squadron, with a new striking red and white livery that looks just the ticket.
Magnus Wheatley