Chris Welch (left) and Karel Komárek

Ben Peter Catchpole

I was young, skinny, and had a mouth full of orthodontics when Dennis Connor and his team representing the New York Yacht Club lost the America’s Cup off Newport, Rhode Island in 1983. Why do I remember the braces? Because my orthodontist (a pseudo-preppie-long-haired-sailor from Scituate, Massachusetts) was in mourning—he even sported a black armband—during my appointment in his office the day after the historic loss.

And as a skinny young American sailor, I was in mourning too. The New York Yacht Club had been undefeated for 132 years until—5:21 PM on September 26, 1983—when Australia II won the final race in story book fashion. Actually, I’m still in mourning. The competition, technology, money, egos, rivalries, intellect, and intrigue of the modern America’s Cup series never returned to Newport after the Aussies ripped the Cup away from the NYYC all those years ago.

But that could all change now that a brand new America’s Cup team from Newport, Rhode Island—American Racing Challenger Team USA, representing Challenging Yacht Club Sail Newport—has become an official challenger for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples, Italy next year. The team is led by co-founder & chairman Karel Komárek, co-founder & vice chairman Chris Welch, and legendary American sailor Ken Read.

“The America’s Cup represents the pinnacle of sailing innovation, performance, and international competition,” said Karel Komárek, American Racing Challenger Team USA Co-founder and Chairman when the new team was announced. “We’re proud to bring an American contender back to the forefront of this historic event. This is a decision we have approached with great care and clear intent. We would only move forward with the right partners in place. Sail Newport’s pedigree, and its commitment not only to elite competition but also to the grassroots development of American sailing and expanding access to the sport, made it an inspiring partner.”

They’re also partnering with US Sailing to strengthen pathways into the sport by supporting youth development and expanding opportunities for female sailors.

And most of all, American Racing Challenger Team USA have already acquired key America’s Cup sailing assets from American Magic, including the AC75 yacht Patriot and two AC40’s so they can hit the ground running so to speak.

Meanwhile, team Co-Founder & Vice Chairman Chris Welch adds, “This opportunity extends far beyond competition, it’s about seizing a rare chance to help shape the opening chapter of a new era in America’s Cup history. With extraordinary momentum building behind the Cup, Karel and I are proud to play a role in returning the world’s most successful nation to this iconic stage, alongside some of America’s most powerful and recognizable brands.”

The competition for the Cup takes place next year, so America’s Cup veteran and team CEO Ken Read doesn’t have a moment to lose. "Having the opportunity to represent the United States once again in the America’s Cup is a tremendous honor. We’re under no illusion about the challenges ahead and we’re fully focused on building a team that can win the Cup. We are looking forward to building a program that American sailors can be proud of and establishing a legacy that endures well into the future.”

And as a Newport, Rhode Island supporter, I’m pretty excited to hear what Chris Long, President of Sail Newport had to say as well. “In American Racing Challenger Team USA, we have found a partner that shares our mission and values, and one that can help bring Sail Newport’s long-standing spirit and energy in the sport of sailing towards challenging for the 38th America’s Cup. Sail Newport was founded when the America’s Cup left Newport in 1983 to keep sailing strong and accessible. To now be part of the America’s Cup at the highest level is incredibly meaningful for us. Our organization was built to open the sport to everyone, and that mission continues to guide everything we do today.”

Watch this space.