Ben Rosenberg, who grew up sailing in Newport and came up through the youth program run jointly by Sail Newport and Ida Lewis Yacht Club, has been named to ARC Team USA’s AC75 squad for the 38th America’s Cup.
Rosenberg joins in a dual role as sailor and analyst, combining on-water racing with performance data work. He was named Thursday alongside Olympian Annie Haeger, who sailed for the United States in the 470 class at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was US Sailing’s Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year in 2015.
“After spending so many years representing Sail Newport, joining an America’s Cup team flying the same burgee is pretty special,” Rosenberg said in a statement. “The opportunity to combine sailing with performance analysis at this level is exactly what I’ve always wanted to do.”
A mechanical engineering graduate of the University of Rhode Island, Rosenberg won the U.S. Youth Championship in the Nacra 15 class, sailed with American Magic’s Youth America’s Cup program in Barcelona in 2024 and finished eighth at the 2025 Moth World Championship. He has also worked with American Magic’s senior team.
“Congratulations to Ben. It’s great to have some homegrown talent from Rhode Island on the team,” said Brad Read, Sail Newport’s executive director. “Ben was a big part of our Brenton Cove Racing Program in the Optimist and 420 race teams. All of us at Sail Newport and the Ida Lewis Yacht Club are thrilled for Ben.”
“To see a sailor who came through the Brenton Cove Racing Program reach the pinnacle of our sport is a tremendous source of pride for our entire sailing community,” said Ida Lewis Yacht Club Commodore William O’Hanley.
Haeger, a Boston College graduate and six-time national champion, has raced in SailGP as a strategist for the Canadian team.
“Annie’s experience, competitive instincts and proven ability to perform at the highest level will be a tremendous asset, while Ben combines real talent on the water with the analytical skills that are so important to a modern America’s Cup campaign,” said Ken Read, ARC Team USA’s chief executive.
The two join an AC75 squad that includes Lucas Calabrese, Riley Gibbs, Hans Henken, Harry Melges IV, Michael Menninger and Louisa Nordstrom.
ARC Team USA, which represents Sail Newport, made its competitive debut last month at the Louis Vuitton 38th America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Naples, Italy, winning its opening fleet race and finishing fourth among nine teams. The team said it will unveil its AC75 and announce its youth and women’s squads in the coming weeks.
The 38th America’s Cup is scheduled for Naples in 2027.
