I heard some exciting news yesterday. A team from the Long Beach Yacht Club will be the 5th Challenger for the America’s Cup! Their team name is Stars and Stripes Team USA and I couldn’t be more excited.
While I’ve been a supporter of Team New Zealand since 2000 when I happened to be there for one of the races, I really like the idea of a fully American team and crew and am looking forward to rooting for the US team this go-around.
This Stars and Stripes Team USA was co-founded by American sailors Mike Buckley and Taylor Canfield. The name is a nod to Dennis Conner’s Stars & Stripes teams which has had, admittedly, mixed success with regards to America’s Cup campaigns.
While I’m doing my best not to be too superstitious, I can certainly say I will be looking forward to this next generation of All-American sailors and wishing the best for their success.
If you’re looking for something to tide you over during this trickle of news about America’s Cup challengers that has been coming out, I highly recommend the movie Wind, which was artistically sourced from events during the 1983 and 1987 America’s Cup series.
America’s Cup Press Release (Dec. 12, 2018)
Scuttlebutt (Dec. 12, 2018)
Neptune's Courtroom 