2nd Annual America's Cup Hall of Fame Challenge Set for October 3-4 at Newport, Rhode Island
by Richard Matthews 11 Jul 15:30 BST
October 3-4, 2026
American Eagle © America's Cup Hall of Fame
Four Iconic 12-Metres To Race for STEM Education Fund
The Herreshoff Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame are proud to announce the 2026 America's Cup Hall of Fame Challenge, set to take place October 3-4, 2026, in Newport, Rhode Island. This
prestigious sailing event will bring together elite teams to compete aboard four historic 12-Metre yachts, honoring the rich legacy of America's Cup racing in Newport.
"We are thrilled to host this extraordinary event, which not only celebrates the
legacy of America's Cup racing but also provides critical support to the future of
sailing through our STEM education initiatives," says Bill Lynn, President &
Executive Director of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and the America's Cup Hall of
Fame. "This will be a weekend of fierce competition, camaraderie, and a shared
passion for the sport."
The event will feature four teams, each composed of 10-person crews assisted by a
supplied boat captain and two professional crew, who will race in classic 12-Metre
yachts - Columbia (US-16), Weatherly (US-17), Nefertiti (US-19), and American
Eagle (US-21) - all of which played historic roles in Defender selection trials with
two securing America's Cup victories in 1958, 1962, and 1967. The races will take
place north of Pell Bridge, offering thrilling competition in one of the most storied
sailing venues in the world. Crews will switch boats each race offering each team a
chance to sail each of these iconic yachts.
"Last year's event was an absolute blast, and we're looking forward to defending our
title this fall," says Sandy Weil, who won the inaugural race last year. "The racing
was tight and competitive, and the Race Committee did a top-notch job - we can't
wait to get our team back together!"
Adding to the event's prestige, each competing boat will include noted 12 Metre
legends, offering participants an unparalleled opportunity to sail alongside some of
the greatest legends in the sport while receiving expert coaching.
There will be an opening reception on Friday evening at The Sailing Museum in
downtown Newport, and at the conclusion of racing on Sunday, competitors and
guests will gather for a reception and award ceremony at the 12-Metre Yacht
Club in the Clarke Cooke House Sky Bar.
Each team will contribute a $15,000 entry fee, a part of which is tax-deductible,
directly supporting the Herreshoff STEM Education Program. A portion of the
proceeds will provide scholarships for youth sailors and boatbuilders from
underserved communities, ensuring the next generation has continued access to
maritime education and training.
For more information on the 2026 America's Cup Hall of Fame Challenge, including entry details and sponsorship opportunities, please visit herreshoff.org/achofchallenge or contact Bill Lynn via email at .
About the Herreshoff Marine Museum
The Herreshoff Marine Museum, located in Bristol, Rhode Island, USA, is a
maritime museum dedicated to the history of the Herreshoff Manufacturing
Company and the America's Cup. The Herreshoff Manufacturing Company (1878-
1945) was most notable for producing fast sailing yachts, including eight America's
Cup defenders, and steam-powered vessels. The museum, situated near
Narragansett Bay on the grounds where the manufacturing company once stood,
has a collection of over sixty boats including Nathanael Greene Herreshoff's CLARA,
built in 1887, Harold Vanderbilt's TRIVIA, and the 1992 ACC yacht DEFIANT.
Website: herreshoff.org
About The America's Cup Hall of Fame
The America's Cup Hall of Fame was founded in 1992 to preserve the legacy and
history of the America's Cup competition, celebrating its heroes and inspiring future
generations of Cup enthusiasts and participants by connect the past with the
present - and the future. It does this in part by maintaining a comprehensive
collection of AC artifacts and ephemera as well as a collection of photography and
video, and by celebrating everything that makes the America's Cup one of the
world's most compelling sporting events.
Website: www.achof.com