The America’s Cup may be decided in a moment—a perfect tack, a flawless gybe—but every successful campaign is the result of decisions made long in advance. Marking the anniversary of its landmark 1995 victory, Emirates Team New Zealand has today (14 May 2025) become the first syndicate to formally announce its core sailing line-up for the 38th America’s Cup. That win nearly three decades ago sparked a legacy of five Cup triumphs, redefining what excellence looks like at the top of the sport. Today’s announcement represents more than continuity—it signals a leadership reset, a bold declaration of intent, and perhaps a quietly calculated strategic move few saw coming.
As expected, the 2027 regatta is already shaping up to be fiercely contested, with the next official test sailing window opening on 20 October 2025. That date was locked in by a joint note from the Challenger of Record and Defender, issued just three weeks after the final race in Barcelona. Until then, teams can only sail AC40s in strict One Design configuration.
Early moves in a compressed cycle
The early announcement from Emirates Team New Zealand reflects the increasingly compressed nature of the America’s Cup cycle. With more limited time between regattas, the design, simulation, build and sailing phases are being forced to overlap more than ever. In this environment, clarity of leadership and continuity of key talent become even more critical.
This week, Emirates Team New Zealand gathered its core sailing group at the team base in Auckland to begin mapping out its strategy for defending the Cup in 2027—widely expected to take place in the Bay of Naples, Italy (although rumour is that Greece is even more likely to host the competition in 2027.) The five-man core includes Olympic gold and silver medallist Nathan Outteridge, now officially confirmed as skipper, long-time campaigners Blair Tuke and Andy Maloney, Olympic bronze medallist Sam Meech, and a surprise inclusion: British sailor Chris Draper.
The end of an era—and a new one begins
The most significant change is, of course, the departure of Peter Burling. After a decade with Emirates Team New Zealand that saw him lead the team to a “three-peat” (three consecutive successful Cup defences), Burling and the syndicate parted ways last month after negotiations failed to reach a new agreement. Team CEO Grant Dalton described the decision as necessary in light of the tighter Cup cycles and the growing need for deeper integration between sailing and design departments.
In his place, Nathan Outteridge has stepped forward as skipper—an appointment that feels both natural and strategic. Outteridge, who shared helm duties with Burling during the 2024 campaign, brings a vast résumé: Olympic medals, multiple world championships, America’s Cup experience with Artemis Racing, and a reputation for being methodical, analytical and unflappable under pressure. Since moving to New Zealand in 2018, he has gradually woven himself into the fabric of the team.
Outteridge’s leadership style complements the modern Cup’s evolving demands, where boat development and team dynamics must align seamlessly. Don’t be mistaken in thinking he’s a stand-in for Burling; he has the pedigree to build a new chapter.
Tuke stays the course
Though they’re inseparable in the SailGP arena—where Tuke and Burling co-lead the Black Foils—only one of the dynamic duo remains in the Emirates Team New Zealand line-up. Blair Tuke continues in a core sailing role, and his retention is a major win for team continuity. His experience as a flight controller and foiling systems expert, combined with his leadership and familiarity with the campaign’s inner workings, makes him a key pillar of the squad.
Alongside Tuke, Andy Maloney also returns. Maloney has been central to the team’s performance in recent Cups, especially in sail design and control systems. Together, these two form a familiar and reliable spine within a team that is otherwise shifting shape.
Olympic medallist Sam Meech—who was part of the 2024 campaign—also stays onboard, reinforcing a core group that balances experience, versatility and cohesion.
Chris Draper, the wildcard
The wildcard in this line-up is Chris Draper. The British sailor last appeared in the America’s Cup with Luna Rossa in 2013 and has since remained active in high-performance circuits, including SailGP, where he currently sails with the Australia team.
His selection has raised eyebrows in the Cup community—not for his capability, but for the surprise factor. He is an outsider representing the introduction of fresh perspective. His presence breaks the mould of continuity and could help counteract the risk of “group-think”—a real concern for long-standing squads. His Olympic pedigree in the 49er and deep understanding of multihull and foiling dynamics are valuable assets.
Who’s absent—and who could still come in
Notably absent from the squad are Louis Crosby, Hamish Bond, and long-time tactician Ray Davies. While the team has stated more sailors will be announced in due course, their omission may suggest a strategic refresh or an evolving approach to crew structure.
There’s still no sign of who will be in the New Zealand Youth or Women’s squads—and it’s particularly striking that Emirates Team New Zealand, as Defender and co-author of the rules, hasn’t taken a stronger lead on inclusion. Other syndicates may well be further ahead in integrating emerging sailors, whether on the water or embedded within their wider campaign structures. The 2024 America’s Cup exposed clear gaps in this area, yet little progress appears to have been made on home soil. It’s a missed opportunity—New Zealand has a wealth of rising talent that would benefit enormously from time alongside the best in the business.
Navigating the road to 2027
With the testing window not opening until October 2025, all teams are currently limited to One Design training in the AC40. The release of the official Protocol is still pending, but most Challengers are already working from its draft provisions. Key expected clauses include a ban on switching teams if you sailed in the 37th Cup, and a limit on the number of non-nationals permitted per team—a clause the now-withdrawen Swiss team Alinghi is rumoured to have lobbied for.
Meanwhile, Luna Rossa has already hit the water in One Design mode and seems determined to build early momentum. For Emirates Team New Zealand, being the first to reveal a core crew is both a tactical and symbolic move: it signals direction, stability, and a willingness to lead from the front.
Charting the course ahead
In many ways, the 38th America’s Cup campaign has already begun. Emirates Team New Zealand’s early decisions are setting the tone for how the team intends to defend its title: with a combination of deep experience, thoughtful leadership, and just enough shake-up to keep things sharp.
With Nathan Outteridge at the helm, Blair Tuke holding the fort, and Chris Draper adding something new to the mix, the squad blends legacy with evolution. It’s not yet a complete picture—but it’s already a compelling one. The mission is clear: defend the Cup again. The tools are coming together. And for now, New Zealand has the early edge—not just in preparation, but in purpose.
