Jemima Lines Makes America's Cup History for Britain

Jemima Lines is about to sail into the history books as the first British woman selected for an America's Cup team in nine decades.

The 29-year-old engineer and former Olympic kitefoiler will join the GB1 crew for the 2027 America's Cup in Naples, Italy. She's stepping into a spot that hasn't been filled by a British woman since Phyllis Sopwith raced in 1937.

"It has been a long time coming," Lines told BBC Sport. "What a moment in history. I think it is a pivotal moment for our sport."

Her selection comes at a turning point for the prestigious sailing competition. The 2027 event will be the first in the America's Cup's 175-year history to require at least one woman on each five-person crew.

Lines brings an impressive resume to the team. She served as backup to gold medalist Ellie Aldridge at the Paris 2024 Olympics and holds a degree in mechanical engineering. Between sailing competitions, she's worked as a guide at Everest basecamp, scaled mountain summits, and set altitude kite surfing records.

Her adventurous spirit came from her late father, Ralph Crathorne, a former British special forces soldier who died in an accident on Ben Nevis earlier this year. "He would just absolutely love it," Lines said. "Every sport I have ever done, we have done as a family and that led me to this."

Lines won't just be racing. Her engineering background means she'll help design the tools and systems for GB1's AC75 boat before it hits the water.

The Ripple Effect

This isn't just one woman's achievement. It's the start of a new era in competitive sailing.

For decades, women have been pushing the boundaries in sailing at every level, from Olympic courses to round-the-world races. This rule change acknowledges what the sport has known for years: women belong at the highest levels of competition.

Lines joins teammates Bleddyn Mon, Dylan Fletcher, Ben Cornish, and Andrea Tesei on a crew that's already generating excitement. "Coming into this team you can feel the buzz in the air," she said. "It is just a place full of legends."

The race begins in May 2027, with the final match scheduled for July 10-11. Young sailors watching from shore now have a new role model showing them what's possible when barriers finally come down.