Mike Buckley, 35, a former All-American sailor at Washington College in Chestertown, Maryland, USA, has been working for over a year to assemble a team to challenge for the America's Cup. Buckley's aim is to have an all American team - sailors, designers, team principals.

Buckley claims “a significant amount committed” towards a budget of $80-100 million. He said they have enough to get started and that he needs one or two more partners.

Buckley is a member of the New York Yacht Club, which already has a team - American Magic - led by Terry Hutchinson and fully funded with Hap Fauth, Doug DeVos and Roger Penske underwriting the budget. But American Magic is an international team. The lead designer is Spanish, and the sailing crew announced to date has six foreigners and four Americans. Buckley is friends with several members of the NYYC team, but positions his team as purely American.

Sailing as Team USA One  with 29 year old Taylor Canfield at the helm and Buckley as tactician, the team defeated American Magic in the prestigious Congressional Cup in Long Beach, California in April. Kiwi veteran helmsman Dean Barker had Terry Hutchinson as tactician in Long Beach.

Time may be running out though - the deadline for challenging is 30 June 2018, although late challenges will be accepted until 30 November 2018, albeit with a $1 million late fee.