PARIS – Women sailors will form part of the crews in the 38th America’s Cup in Naples in 2027, under a long-awaited protocol released on Aug 12.

The boats will race with a crew of five, one of which must be a woman, and the functions of the boat will increasingly be powered by battery.

The woman crew member and two others must come from the country that the boat is racing for.

In another new measure, team costs will be capped at €75 million for the 2027 edition.

Holders Team New Zealand and their challengers Athena Racing signed off on the protocol.

Athena’s CEO and team principal Ben Ainslie described the protocol as a “seismic moment” for the competition.

“The teams and yacht clubs share a vision to make the America’s Cup more inclusive, compelling, and financially sustainable. This new model marks a unified commitment to that vision,” the Briton said.

New York Yacht Club (NYYC) commodore Jay Cross also said they are “completely supportive” of the move.

The America’s Cup, billed as the oldest trophy in international sport, was retained by New Zealand last October in Barcelona when they beat Britain. NYYC are the most successful team with 25 titles.

“As the three-time successive winner and Defender of the America’s Cup and along with the RNZYS (Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron) as current Trustee, we feel the responsibility to continue to drive the growth of the America’s Cup event,” Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said in a statement.

“Although the America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport and the pinnacle of sailing, its Achilles heel has always been its lack of continuity, so this transformation now gives all teams collective stewardship.

“By negotiating this Protocol and the America’s Cup Partnership with the Challenger of Record, it provide...