Athena Racing

Athena Racing is a British sailing team that is the challenger of record for the 38th America's Cup.

The team was established in 2012 with the ambition of winning the America's Cup for Great Britain and to 'bring the cup home' to the United Kingdom. The Team first challenged in 2017_America's_Cup in Bermuda. In 2021 the team challenged again for the 36th America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron. In 2024 the team again challenged for the America's Cup, beating four challengers to win the 2024 Louis Vuitton Cup to qualify for the America's Cup Match.

The 37th America's Cup match was a best of 13 race series held October 2024 between Taihoro, owned and sailed by the Defender Emirates Team New Zealand syndicate representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, and Ineos Britannia. The Defender went on to win the event 7-2.

Emirates Team New Zealand secured their fifth America's Cup triumph on 19th October 2024, defeating The British Team with a 7-2 victory in the 37th America's Cup Match. The historic moment also saw the official confirmation of the next cycle: Bertie Bicket, Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Racing, presented the Challenge letter, which was accepted by Gillian Williams, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. This signing established Athena Racing as the representative of the Challenger of Record for 38th America’s Cup, Royal Yacht Squadron Racing Ltd.

The Team is led by the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie, who is Owner, Team Principal, CEO and skipper.