ARC Team USA Unveils Founding America’s Cup AC75 Sailing Squad
Founding squad marks the beginning of a new chapter for American sailing
Team combines proven performance, adaptability and long-term potential in pursuit of the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup
Olympic medalists, America’s Cup veterans and emerging talent selected for AC75 campaign
ARC Team USA has announced the first six sailors selected to its founding AC75 sailing squad, bringing together a blend of Olympic success, America’s Cup experience and emerging talent as the team continues its campaign toward the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup in Naples.
The initial lineup comprises Lucas Calabrese, Riley Gibbs, Hans Henken, Harry Melges IV, Michael Menninger and Louisa Nordstrom, a group whose collective experience spans the Olympic Games, SailGP and the America’s Cup. Together, they represent the first six sailors selected to the team’s AC75 campaign as preparations accelerate toward Naples.
“This group represents exactly what we’re trying to build. They bring world-class experience, proven performance at the highest levels of our sport and the potential to help shape the future of American sailing. As we continue to build our challenge, we’re committed to creating opportunities for the next generation of talent and establishing a program that can compete at the highest level for years to come. Each of these sailors has demonstrated not only exceptional ability on the water, but also the versatility, work ethic and mindset required to help build something bigger than a single campaign.”
More than a collection of accomplished sailors, the founding squad represents the beginning of a new chapter for American sailing. Combining elite international experience with emerging talent, the group forms the foundation of a long-term vision to build a world-class American program capable of competing for the America’s Cup while inspiring the next generation of sailors.
Drawn from the Olympic Games, SailGP and the America’s Cup, the six sailors bring experience from the highest levels of the sport, reflecting ARC Team USA’s commitment to combining proven performance with future potential as it builds toward Naples.
ARC Team USA Sailing Director Giles Scott said the selection reflected the team’s ambition to build a group capable of growing and evolving throughout the campaign.
“We’ve deliberately selected sailors who bring a balance of experience, talent and long-term potential. Between them, this group has competed and succeeded at the very highest levels of our sport, but what really stands out is their toughness, versatility and willingness to keep learning and developing. Just as importantly, they understand what it takes to contribute to a high-performing team. We’re building a squad rather than defining fixed roles from day one. The America’s Cup demands adaptable athletes who can evolve alongside the program, and we believe this group gives us an incredibly strong foundation to build the team from. We have a hugely talented team, and our focus now is on harnessing that potential, building the strongest possible group and continuing to raise our level as we work toward Naples.”
Further team announcements will be made in due course as ARC Team USA continues to build its campaign for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup.
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Notes to Editors
For further information, please visit: AmericanRacingChallenger.com
Media contacts:
- Lizzie BrooksCommunications DirectorLizzie.Brooks@ARCTeamUSA.com
About ARC Team USA: ARC Team USA is an official challenger for the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup, representing Sail Newport. Backed by entrepreneurs Karel Komárek and Chris Welch, and led by CEO, Ken Read and Sailing Director, Giles Scott, the team is focused on building a world-class program capable of competing at the highest level of international sailing.
ARC Team USA AC75 Sailor Media Information (short form)
Lucas Calabrese (#12), born December 12th 1986, Buenos Aires, Argentina: Olympic bronze medalist Lucas Calabrese is one of the most accomplished sailors in the squad. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, and now a U.S. citizen, Calabrese won bronze at the London 2012 Olympic Games in the 470 class. He is also an Optimist World Champion, a two-time TP52 World Champion, and a world champion in both the Melges 20 and J/70 classes. He was a key member of the American Magic campaign during the 37th America’s Cup.
Riley Gibbs (#08), born November 3rd 1996, Long Beach, California: Riley Gibbs represented Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in the Nacra 17 class and competed previously as part of the United States SailGP Team. A versatile foiling sailor, Gibbs has achieved top-five finishes at world championship level across three different classes and was part of the USA America’s Cup campaign in Barcelona in 2024.
Hans Henken (#84), born June 4th 1992, Laguna Beach, California: Hans Henken is a Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medalist in the 49er class and the 2024 U.S. Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. As the Flight Controller for the United States SailGP Team and an aerospace engineer with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stanford University, Henken brings a rare combination of elite foiling experience and advanced technical expertise to his first America’s Cup campaign with ARC Team USA.
Harry Melges IV (#04), born May 16th 2001, Fontana, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Harry Melges IV carries forward one of the most celebrated family legacies in sailing. A winner of the 2025 TP52 Super Series and the 2021 US Rolex Yachtsman of the Year award, Melges has secured eight national championships across multiple classes, is a current member of the US SailGP Team, and skippered the NYYC American Magic Youth America’s Cup Team to a runner-up finish in Barcelona in 2024.
Michael Menninger (#10), born July 7th 1989, Newport Beach California: Michael Menninger brings extensive experience from elite sailing programs, including the America’s Cup, SailGP and offshore racing. A former Red Bull Youth America’s Cup helmsman, Match Racing World Champion, Team Racing World Champion and Etchells World Champion, Menninger was the starboard trimmer onboard the USA America’s Cup campaign in Barcelona. He is currently wing trimmer for the United States SailGP Team, where he has played an important role in the team's resurgence from the bottom of the standings to competing towards the front of the fleet.
Louisa Nordstrom (#23), born May 25th 1998, Sweden, raised in Sarasota, Florida: Louisa Nordstrom brings experience across collegiate, Olympic, professional and America’s Cup sailing to ARC Team USA. Nordstrom is a four-time All-American at Yale who campaigned in the 470 class for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games before competing in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup in Barcelona. She has also gained valuable experience racing onboard the high-performance F50, joining the U.S. SailGP Team in June 2026 following three appearances with the team during the 2025 season as part of its development program.
ARC Team USA AC75 Sailor Quotes
“It is an honor to be part of ARC Team USA. I see this as a fantastic opportunity and a challenge that I’m excited to take on. We have the ambition to build a very strong sailing team, and I’m looking forward to contributing my experience to help get us there and to racing alongside such a talented group of people.”
“Being a part of this new challenge with ARC Team USA is super exciting. It’s an incredible opportunity not only for myself but for the whole team. We have a great group of people, we’re all super motivated to make the very most of this opportunity that Karel and Chris are providing for us. Our focus now is on establishing our pathway as a serious challenger not only for next year but for the next few cycles to come.”
“I am proud to be joining ARC Team USA and taking on the 38th America’s Cup. This opportunity brings together everything I am passionate about, combining high-performance sailing with engineering, innovation and the chance to contribute as part of a world-class organization. From studying at Stanford to competing in the Olympics, each chapter of my career has challenged me to grow, learn and become better than I was the day before. Working alongside this team, pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and racing at the highest level of our sport is exactly where I want to be.”
“It's incredibly exciting to be taking the next step in my America's Cup journey with ARC Team USA. Having had the opportunity to represent the United States in the Youth America's Cup, it's a real privilege to now be part of the senior team and continue chasing a dream I've had for as long as I can remember. We have an incredibly talented group of people, and I'm looking forward to working together to build the best team and put the fastest boat on the racecourse.”
“Representing the United States in the America’s Cup is something I’m incredibly proud of. I can’t wait to get to work with this team and see what we can achieve together over the next few years.”
“I’m really honored to be joining ARC Team USA and excited for the challenge ahead. It’s incredibly special to be part of this team from the very beginning, and I look forward to building something long-term alongside such a dedicated group. Racing in the America’s Cup wasn’t even something I could have imagined when I was younger, so having the opportunity to be part of this campaign for AC38 is a huge honor. I can’t wait to dig in.”