Navy Seals help win America’s Cup

To succeed in the America’s Cup, each team must continuously improve their boat. For the 1992 competition in San Diego, the local Reader publication brings back a story of how the Defender enlisted the military for help:

“Koch’s edge over Conner, and later over the Italian team he thrashed to take the Cup, was achieved with the help of espionage tactics… [that included] sending frogmen armed with bubble-free ‘rebreathers’ to inspect competing hull designs.” — Vanity Fair, June 1994

I was knocking back triple espressos at Bay Books in Coronado when I came across this revelation buried in a feature article on “Wild Bill” Koch, the Kansas billionaire bad boy who had kicked ass and taken names during his 1982 quest for the America’s Cup.

I was disappointed Koch didn’t elaborate on how these “frogmen” — who in fact were U.S. Navy Seals — had helped him and how the scientific data the SEALs had collected through their underwater espionage might still be helping Koch’s almost all-women crew now competing to defend the cup. – Full report

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

Defender New Zealand and Challenger of Record from Great Britain confirmed the Protocol for the 38th America’s Cup on August 12, 2025. The close of the initial entry period was October 31, 2025, with late entries considered up to January 31, 2026. If no USA team participates in the 38th America’s Cup, it will be the first time in the event’s 175-year history.

Current entrants:
• Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) – Defender
• Athena Racing (GBR) – Challenger of Record
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Challenger
• Tudor Team Alinghi (SUI) – Challenger
• K-Challenge (FRA) – Challenger

After the 2024 event, Barcelona, Spain declined hosting another edition, with the venue moved to Naples, Italy. Racing will be in the spring and summer of 2027.