Grant Simmet and Australia’s Return to the America’s Cup

Can you picture the drama? Grant Simmet, a America’s Cup legend, shattered the New York Yacht Club’s 132‑win streak in 1983 aboard Australia II. Now, as CEO of Team Australia—the last entrant for the 2027 edition—he’s back, though he’ll miss the Naples preliminaries because the team lacks an AC 40. “It’s a huge challenge and I couldn’t resist the allure of a competition I love,” Simmet said, noting the squad was assembled from scratch in late March and is already targeting the AC 7. “We’ll try to be in Naples by January for the first tests.” Italy’s sailing fever excites him; he recalls the buzz in Naples before summer and expects about 200 crew members and families to enjoy the city. Simmet believes a flood of Australians will flock to Naples from mid‑May onward, eager to explore the scenery. He admits the Cup has entered a new era, with every team now shaping the event’s governance, allowing even modest outfits to take an active role. “Winning in ’83 was incredible, but today powerhouses like Luna Rossa and a well‑prepared New Zealand raise the stakes,” he added. In my view, Simmet’s comeback could reshape the fleet dynamics.