Analysing the boldest America's Cup Protocol yet

Analysing the boldest America's Cup Protocol yet

Author: Justin Chisholm August 21, 2025 Duration: 53:35

The America’s Cup has entered a bold new era with the release of the Protocol for the 38th edition, and it’s nothing short of revolutionary. A new governing body — the America’s Cup Partnership — will run the event, promising continuity, a two-year cycle, and more transparency than ever before. Defenders Emirates Team New Zealand and Challenger of Record Athena Racing have given up traditional powers in favour of stability, cost controls, and broader commercial appeal. The changes are sweeping: existing AC75s will be reused, budgets capped at €75m, cyclors replaced by batteries, and at least one female sailor mandated on every crew.

Justin Chisholm is joined by Andy Rice (sailjuice.com and Road To Gold) and Dave Reed (editor at Sailing World Magazine) to dissect what’s gained, what’s lost, and who the big winners could be. From Pete Burling’s shock switch to Italy to the looming SailGP rivalry, this Protocol sets a dramatic course for Naples 2027.


The Yacht Racing Life Podcast by British sailing journalist Justin Chisholm dives deep into the competitive world of high performance sailing. Aimed at racing sailors and passionate fans, this podcast explores what it really takes to compete at the highest level on the water. Each episode features exclusive, in depth interviews with many of the sport's biggest names - from Olympic medallists and ocean racers to cutting edge designers, tacticians and team leaders. Listeners can expect thoughtful conversations about race strategies, boat speed, technology, team dynamics and the latest developments from major regattas and global yacht racing circuits. With Justin's insider knowledge and access, the podcast offers rare behind the scenes insights, honest stories from the frontline of the sport, and lessons that ambitious sailors can apply to their own racing. Tune in and listen episodes to stay informed, inspired and connected to the fast moving world of professional yacht racing.
Author: Language: en-gb Episodes: 100

Yacht Racing Life Podcast
Podcast Episodes
NorthStar SailGP team CEO Phil Kennard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:44
Successful dinghy sailor Phil Kennard shares his journey from Olympic campaigning to his roles in Formula One and the PGA Tour, before returning to the world of sailing with SailGP as CEO of the Canadian team NorthStar.
SailGP Season 5 Grand Final in Abu Dhabi: A Deep Dive [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:19
In this episode of the Yacht Racing Life podcast, hosts Justin Chisholm and Magnus Wheatley discuss the final SailGP event of the season held in Abu Dhabi. They analyze the challenges faced by the sailors during the raci…
Iain Percy – CEO Artemis SailGP Team [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:53
Justin Chisholm's guest this time is British triple-Olympic medallist Ian Percy, CEO of Artemis Technologies and the newly announced Swedish Artemis SailGP team – which will be skippered by Nathan Outteridge in Season 6…
2025 OK World Championship winner Andrew Mills [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:15
Justin Chisholm's guest is British dinghy sailor Andrew Mills, a past Olympic campaigner in the Finn class who recently won the International OK World Championship after topping a fleet of 212 boats during a week-long se…
USA SailGP Team CEO Mike Buckley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:05
I sit down with USA SailGP team boss Mike Buckley for a frank and open chat about his experience of leading a team in SailGP, including: the importance of resilience and thick skin; the team’s challenges on the water; th…
SailGP Cádiz Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:02
In this episode of the Yacht Racing Life podcast Justin Chisholm is joined by the Rule69Blog’s Magnus Wheatley to unpack a light-air weekend of racing at the SailGP event in Cádiz, Spain. Justin was on site for practice…
Glenn Ashby on the Ferrari Hypersail project [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:23
On the latest episode of the Yacht Racing Podcast Justin Chisholm quizzes Australian Olympian, two-time America’s Cup winner, and current wind-powered land speed record holder Glenn Ashby about his role as rig designer f…
SailGP Geneva Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:17
Justin and Magnus Wheatley give an honest appraisal of a tricky weekend in Geneva: beautiful setting, ultra-light winds, and racing that was “mostly non-foiling”—at times dull for viewers and deeply frustrating for the c…
SailGP St. Tropez Analysis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:05
In the latest Yacht Racing Life Podcast, host Justin Chisholm and regular guest Magnus Wheatley dissect the SailGP regatta held in Saint-Tropez, a weekend dominated by tricky conditions, new technical challenges, and som…