GB1 and PhysicsX Join Forces to Revolutionize Britain’s America’s Cup Challenge with AI

London, UK – March 14, 2026 – The British America’s Cup team, GB1, has announced a strategic partnership with PhysicsX, naming the company as its Official AI Engineering Platform Partner for the 38th America’s Cup, scheduled to accept place in Naples, Italy in 2027. This collaboration marks a pivotal moment as GB1 resumes on-water training in Cagliari, Italy, following initial sessions on March 9th.

AI-Powered Engineering for Peak Performance

PhysicsX will deploy its AI-native engineering platform to accelerate engineering insights and optimize system-level performance throughout the campaign. The platform combines deep learning with advanced physics-based modeling, enabling the team to learn faster, explore a wider range of design possibilities, and enhance performance within the strict regulations of the America’s Cup Protocol. PhysicsX highlighted the importance of this technology in a highly competitive environment.

The America’s Cup: A Technical Colossus

The America’s Cup is renowned as one of the most technically challenging competitions in the world of sport. Success hinges on the seamless integration of aerodynamics, hydrodynamics, structural mechanics, and control systems, all operating under extreme conditions. Races are often decided by mere seconds, making even slight design advantages critical. DEVELOP3D emphasizes the need for teams to effectively integrate data, simulation, and real-world performance.

Embedded Partnership and Collaborative Approach

Reflecting GB1’s “One Team” ethos, PhysicsX engineers will function directly alongside the team in Portsmouth as an embedded partner. This integration will strengthen the feedback loop between simulation, data analysis, and on-water results, supporting responsible performance gains within cost caps and regulatory constraints. The partnership aims to complement GB1’s data-driven culture and performance focus. GB1 stated that the partnership will play an critical role in supporting the team’s development program.

New Crew Members Join the Challenge

Alongside the partnership announcement, GB1 has welcomed two new trimmers to the crew: Bleddyn Mon and Ben Cornish. Both sailors were part of the Louis Vuitton Cup-winning squad at the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona in 2024. The team launched its one-design AC40 race boat earlier this week and is preparing for the opening preliminary regatta of the 38th America’s Cup, scheduled for Cagliari from May 21-24, 2026. Royal Yachting Association reported on the new signings.

Key Quotes

“The scale and complexity of the engineering challenge in the America’s Cup means that the teams who can best integrate data, simulation and real-world performance will have a clear advantage. Partnering with PhysicsX allows our designers to build higher-fidelity models with lower data costs and quicker turnaround. The result is faster design iteration and greater insight into complex performance interactions, helping GB1 push the boundaries of performance.” – Nick Holroyd, Head of Design, GB1

“It’s super exciting to be rejoining the team at the start of the journey under the America’s Cup Partnership, what makes the America’s Cup so unique is that it’s a real combination of sport and technology, where the sailing team and design teamwork hand in hand to push performance forward. That’s what excites me about this next America’s Cup, the continuity element is huge, and the fact that teams will be able to continue progressing their designs from one Cup to the next.” – Bleddyn Mon, Trimmer, GB1