TeamOrigin, the British sailing team intending to bid for the next America’s Cup, has today announced a formal agreement with the Royal Thames Yacht Club to be their official Challenging Yacht Club, a mandatory requirement for all Challengers prior to entering the America’s Cup.

Established in 1775, the Royal Thames is the oldest Royal yacht club in Britain and was the first Challenging Yacht Club for the America’s Cup in 1870, backing the British bid with Cambria following the inaugural victory of Schooner America in 1851.

The Club has Royal patronage in the form of Commodore HRH The Duke of York, and a 1,500 strong membership, many of whom have been involved in national and international competition, with a number of younger members competing for Olympic status.

Sir Keith Mills, Team Principal of TeamOrigin commented: ‘I am very pleased to announce The Royal Thames Yacht Club’s selection as our official Challenging Yacht Club. We are required to choose a yacht club as part of our bid to win the Cup and needed to ensure that club met the necessary criteria and would give us the skills and experience we need – The Royal Thames certainly meets our requirements and we are thrilled that they are joining the TeamOrigin family. We look forward to working together closely with the club.’