CHALLENGER OF RECORD, GB1: TWO BOAT TESTING IN CAGLIARI
GB1, the Challenger of Record for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, took a giant step forward today in Cagliari with the team’s first two-boat AC40 training session. Sailing the team’s ‘Sienna’ and ‘Athena’ yachts it was a near four-hour session in relatively light (9-10knots) of south-easterly. The team are expecting the Maestrale to come in later in the week from the north-west, but today’s session was a great first sighter for new combinations in the team.
Onboard Athena, Finn Morris one of the young Athena Pathway graduates got his first taste of two-boating on the water alongside Olympians Ellie Aldridge and Anna Burnet with Britain’s greatest ever female Olympian, Hannah Mills OBE, skippering from the starboard pod.
Over on ‘Sienna’ – complete with its striking full GB1 livery – Dylan Fletcher MBE led the session alongside the hugely experienced Bleddyn Mon and Ben Cornish with Finn Dickinson, another Athena Pathway graduate, alongside. Great experience for both ‘Finns’ who will be eyeing a spot in the Youth & Women GB1 team for the Cagliari Preliminary Regatta from 21-24 May 2026.
Speaking afterwards, Dylan Fletcher recapped the day saying: “Great day for GB1. We had two boats on the water for the first time this campaign. Our main goal of the day, was to get through the test lists, get some racing, get some tuning in and it's always good having two boats out there. You can really push yourself through the paces and just ticking off that test list. Quite a range of conditions throughout the day...the breeze was a bit better than expected. The plan is hopefully some more two boat days. We'll, check in and see what the weather looks like. Feels like there's going to be a potential of some mistral later in the week, so a bit of offshore action here, but that's why we're here. It's great weather. We’ve got a mix of crew on board between the two boats, and I think we're really trying to maximize the experience and push the learning of everyone on board.”
Dock out: 12:30
Dock in: 16:15
Conditions: 9-10knts from 150 Wind direction. Flat water
Comments / Objectives:
First day in Cagliari for both AC40 teams. J1 to start the session with flat water. Some long upwind and downwind shakedown runs to begin the day. Jib change to J2 after around 45 minutes of sailing. Both boats then joined up for a racecourse session. The conditions became influenced by a large rain cell which grew over the City and eventually moved over the bay, this killed the wind and was a natural end to a great first day of sailing both boats together.
GB1 Crew - Athena:
Dylan Fletcher Helm - GB1
Bleds Mon - Trimmer - GB1
Finn Dickinson - Helm - Athena Pathway
Ben Cornish - Trimmer - GB1
Athena Pathway Crew Sienna:
Hannah Mills Helm - Athena Pathway
Finn Morris - Helm - Athena Pathway
Ellie Aldridge - Trimmer - Athena Pathway
Anna Burnet - Trimmer - Athena Pathway
