Happy new year – welcome to 2024 the year of the America’s Cup – our countdown truly begins with just over 230 days to go!

America’s Cup have now announced final dates for both our Youth and Women’s competition as well as the Louis Vuitton Challenger series and the Cup. It is time to start planning if you want to witness the world’s best boats and our team on the water.

Find out below about supporter events and competitions for prizes too and standby for travel partner options coming to you.

Competition Dates

The final dates for all of the America's Cup races have been released. The America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta will start on August 22 with the Louis Vuitton Cup starting August 29 and the 37th America’s Cup finals being raced October 12 to 21.

The Youth America’s Cup will run September 17 to 26 with the decider taking place between Race 1 and 2 of the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals. The historic Puig Women’s America’s Cup follows on from October 5 to 13 with their final race being held between Race 3 and 4 of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Match.

Australia kicks off in Pool B racing Spain, Canada, The Netherlands, Germany and Sweden for both the Youth and Womens Regattas.

There is plenty of sailing to experience this year if you get to Barcelona!!

ON WATER HIGHLIGHTS

Congratulations to all the squad and team who have been busy competing across the country and internationally over December and January.

Cole Tapper and his crew threw everything at the final for a superb silver medal in the World Youth Matching Championships hosted by the CYCA in December. Annie Wilmot and her team mate Laura Harding won the Sail Sydney 49er FX open at Woollahra Sailing Club in December. Also at Sail Sydney Tom Needham and Miles Davey scored 2nd, with Max Paul and Tom Burton in 3rd in the Men’s Skiff 49er class and Zoe Thomson a third in the ILCA 6.  Mara Stransky won the Sail Melbourne ILCA class and Finn Alexander scored 2nd there to legend Matt Wearn.  

We had plenty to watch and cheer on in the Rolex Sydney to Hobart with our own Lisa Darmanin in the on-water commentary hot seat and Patron John Winning helming the formidable Andoo Comanche with Harry Price and Harry Smith on the crew. 

Congratulations to squad coach Harry Price on his win at the International Moth Australian Open Championship hosted at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania this month. Also in competition was squad member Jack Ferguson.

AUSTRALIAN SAILING PARTNERSHIP

Team Australia Challenge has entered a formal partnership with Australian Sailing to coordinate the development of our athletes who are competing across the globe this year, including the Olympic Games and America’s Cup.

Australian Sailing’s High Performance Director Iain Brambell said, “the possibility created by Team Australia Challenge gaining entry in the 2024 America’s Cup, is an outstanding opportunity for Australian sailors to glean invaluable skills and access to critically importance international competition.”

He said the partnership would maximise opportunities especially for high performance female sailors and build pathways on the international stage.

NEW FAN CLUB PRIZES

Congratulations to Sarah Ross, the latest winner of the Simulator Experience at our base camp!

A new prize pack is now on offer for fans via our website. Every Club Member automatically goes in the draw for a tailored signed male or female pack that includes gear from our partners MUSTO and Bolle. The Premium package of Team Australia Challenge merchandise is valued at over $379 plus a pair of the just released Bolle Wind Chaser Sunglasses $399. Forward this email and get your friends to sign up below!

UPCOMING EVENTS

There are lots of opportunities to meet your Squad coming up with a full calendar of competition continuing and supporting events.

The Warren Jones International Youth Match Racing Regatta kicks off this week in Perth at the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club. Members of our squad including local Zoe Thomson, competitors Cole Tapper, Max Paul, George Richardson, Harry Smith and Tom Needham will join Nina Curtis as keynote speaker on stage for the Warren Jones Gala Luncheon on February 2nd. Last minute tickets are available by contacting Tessa.  Also don’t miss the Australia II: 40 Years On exhibition at the Maritime Museum in Fremantle which closes on Feb 4.

Local Squad members Nina Curtis and Tash Bryant will be at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club in Newport, Sydney on Friday, February 9th from 5pm ahead of the annual Pittwater Regatta. All are welcome to attend.

CYCA members and guests are invited to join their own squad members for an up-close opportunity to find out more about the campaign in the main bar on Saturday afternoon February 10th from 3-5pm. Come along for a chance to hear about the training, get a photo, ask questions and show support. Silver medallist Olivia Price, Evie Haseldine and fresh out of match racing competition Cole Taper, George Richardson and Harry Smith will be there. No bookings needed.

Don’t miss Sail GP in Sydney in February if you are in town. Our own Lisa Darmanin will be back in the commentary box as will media partner Nic Douglass following the fortunes of Team Australia and our TAC members Nina Curtis, Tash Bryant, lucy Copeland, and Tom Needham. See Lisa and Nina in action.

Tickets are selling fast for this. Grab yours here!

Continuing our profile series on our athletes - meet Nina Curtis and Finn Alexander

Nina Curtis, NSW from the RPAYC

Olympian, Volvo Ocean Race and Sail GP champion Nina Curtis has been instrumental in getting the Team Australia Challenge going and you will see her in action on Sydney Harbour next month on the Australian team at Sydney Sail GP.

London 2012 Olympic silver medallist, Nina has pursued elite level, threshold breaking sailing achievements including participating on the third place winning Team Brunel Volvo Ocean Race in 2017/18 and being the first female Season Champion in Sail GP on the Team Australia Season 2 win. She was a member of the World Sailing Rolex ‘team of the year’ win in 2022 and named NSW/ACT Female Sailor of the Year in 2022.

Early in her career Nina shone during Olympic campaigns over 3 different classes, taking 1st at the ISAF World Cup (Melbourne) in 2013 and taking multiple podium spots in World Cups throughout 2015 and 2016. Her trophy cabinet boasts gold, silver and bronze medals from ISAF Match Racing World Championships and World Cups.

Nina was named Australian Female Sailor of the year in 2010 and 2012. She went on to campaign the Nacra 17 and 49er FX winning a third in the 2016 World Cup. She has also crewed numerous ocean races including 3 Sydney to Hobart's and continues to sail on SailGP Team Australia.

Finn Alexander, NSW from RSYS

Finn primarily competes in the ILCA 7 class and is currently 9th in the Men’s World Rankings and is currently competing in the ILCA 7 Men’s World Championships in Adelaide.

His first outing, winning the Youth World Championships in 2016 was followed by performances across local and European championships and included being named Australian Youth Sailor of the Year in 2017. He also competes in yachting team events and in 2020 was named with the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron Team of the Year.

In 2022 he was tactician on the MC38 Season Champion winning yacht and has had podium wins in tactical and strategy positions on Farr 40’s and with the Australian Match Racing National Championships coming 2nd in 2019. He is currently sailing with the Australian Olympic team aiming for Paris and scored a 10th in the Men’s European Championships ILCA class and 2nd at the Europa Cup in Italy in 2023. Good luck Finn!!

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