America's Cup: 47 knots in Cagliari for GB1

An outstanding week for the Challenger of Record, GB1, in Cagliari with new faces in the team learning from Louis Vuitton Cup winners and finalists of the Women’s America’s Cup. For GB1 this was the first two-boat session of the campaign with the team taking to the water in ‘Athena’ – the fully new-liveried AC40 – and ‘Sienna’ the Athena Pathway AC40 in her striking and distinctive livery.

The established names like skippers Dylan Fletcher and Hannah Mills welcomed onboard both yachts some of the new trialists who came through the selection process in Weymouth, UK, and are fast becoming the new sailing sensations of Great Britain. Remember the names: Finn Dickinson, Finn Morris, Sam Webb and Ryan Littlechild – they might just be winning the America’s Cup in years to come.

The self-reported recon showed a total of five days out of seven of two-boat training in Cagliari last week as the team prepare for the first Prelim Regatta from the 21-24 May 2026. The top speed hit last week was 47 knots, which is pretty epic an AC40 and the team also welcomed to the sailing team Andrea Tesei, who brings a wealth of knowledge from the Luna Rossa team where he was a trimmer and flight controller in the last cycle.

So, who are the new stars coming through the impressive Athena Pathway programme?

Ryan Littlechild:
Started sailing at 8 years old at Dobroyd Aquatic Club in an Optimist and made it to the 2016 World Championships, finishing 17th. From Oppis Ryan stepped into the 420 class and raced at the Youth Worlds, then launched into the 49er. Most recently, he’s had serious success in the Moth class, finishing 4th at the 2025 World Championships in Lake Garda.

Finn Dickinson:
A graduate of the ILCA class, Finn has been racking up notable successes from an early age, winning the U21 ILCA 7 World Championships in 2023 before going on to win the U23 ILCA 7 European Championship in 2025. Stepping up into the senior levels of the class, he was 4th at the ILCA 7 Europeans and 5th at the ILCA 7 World Championships in 2025. A successful transition to the International Moth Class saw Finn narrowly miss out on the podium in Lake Garda, finishing an impressive 4th from some of the hottest names in foiling.

Finn Morris:
During lockdown in 2020, that stopped him training in the Optimist class, Finn Morris made a serious name for himself after self-building a ‘Mini-Moth’ that was suited to his size and weight, winning a coveted Foiling Awards trophy in 2022 for best prototype built by an amateur. Since then, Finn transitioned into the 29er class where he won back-to-back Youth National Championship titles in 2023 and 2024 and is now an Engineering student.

Sam Webb:
Sam has been notching up notable successes in the 29er fleet, winning the 2023 UK National Championships before winning the 29er EuroCup in Warnemünde with partner James Crossley. In 2024, he finished runner-up in the 29er UK National Championships. A recent switch to the Olympic 470 and the 49er classes has given Sam a lot of learning with some notable successes alongside sailing Cape 31 yachts and RS21 match-racing.

GB1 AC40 – REPORT W/C 23 MARCH 2026

Mon – Wed – GB1 and Athena Pathway: Two Boat Sailing
Thu – Maintenance / High Winds
Fri – Sun – GB1 / Athen Pathway: Two Boat Sailing

Overview:   

Mon – Two Boat: 0845 Rollout: 1230 Dock out: 1625 Dock in: 9-10knts from 150TWA Flat water 
Tue – Two Boat: 0900 Dock Out: 1400 Dock in: 11- 17 knots
Wed – Two Boat: 0830 Dock out: 1430 Dock in: 12-17knts
Thu – No Sailing: Maintenance Day Due to Mistral
Fri – GB1 Only: 0845 Dock out: 1400 Dock in: 13-26kts and plenty of rain
Sat - Two Boat: 0830 Dock out: 1630 Dock in: 10-16 knts – sunny glamour day
Sun – Two Boat: 0830 Dock out: 1230 Dock in : 4-8 kts Light winds