Media release: Clayton Utz advises the Winning family on Australia’s America’s Cup challenge

Backed by John Winning Sr and John Winning Jr, owners of Winning Appliances and Appliances Online, the Australian challenge has been mounted through Sydney’s Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club and marks the nation’s first campaign for the world’s oldest international sporting trophy since 2000.

Australia has a storied history in the America’s Cup - the world's oldest sporting competition - including the iconic 1983 victory of Australia II, which ended the 132-year United States hold on the trophy.

Clayton Utz advised the Winning family on its admission as a Limited Partner in AC38, LP, the international partnership formed to organise, fund and commercially operate the 38th America’s Cup, and as a shareholder in AC GP, Ltd., the Jersey-incorporated general partner responsible for governance of the partnership.

The transaction involved the execution of a suite of 12 interconnected documents governed across three legal jurisdictions - Jersey, the United Kingdom and the US state of New York - to formalise the entry into the competition.

The entry was completed as a “Late Challenge” under Article 13.2 of the AC38 Protocol, requiring the team to satisfy additional procedural, governance and financial conditions beyond those applicable to founding partners, within a compressed timeframe ahead of the Naples 2027 campaign.

The campaign reflects the Winning family’s long-standing involvement in elite sailing and commitment to growing Australia’s presence on the international stage.

The Clayton Utz team was led by partners Tim Webb and Walid Sukari with support from special counsel Mariam Azzo, and lawyers Mahmoud Joumma, Leo Su and James Yuan.

Tim Webb and Walid Sukari said the transaction represented a significant milestone for Australian sailing and international sport.

“Australia’s return to the America’s Cup is a landmark moment for the nation’s sporting history and a significant achievement for the Winning family and Royal Prince Edward Yacht Club," Mr Webb said.

"We are proud to have supported the team in securing Australia’s place in the 38th America’s Cup.”