Growing up in central Queensland, Joey Newton didn’t think he would one day be heading into the America’s Cup as a two-time defending champion.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, that will be the case when the now Hat Head resident competes for USA Team ‘Oracle’ in the America’s Cup, held in Bermuda, starting on Saturday May 27 (AEST).
As the defenders, Newton’s team automatically qualifies for the final and they will face off with the team that advances through the qualifying stages on June 18 and 19 (AEST).
They compete in the first rounds of the Challenger Series but then wait three weeks until the final challenger wins.
Newton’s interest in sailing began on a dam in Emerald and it became a passion when his family moved to Yeppoon, a coastal town in Queensland, where he competed in junior sailing classes.
Fast-forward nearly 30 years and Newton is entering his sixth America’s Cup campaign.
“I am really excited to be competing again in the America’s Cup, it's every sailors dream to compete in the America’s Cup, let alone win, so it’s special for me to be able to try and defend it again,” Newton said.
“I feel more confident going into this cup than I have in any of the past ones, hopefully we have done enough to make it three in a row.”
The 39-year-old’s training for the event, which is held when a club challenges the cup holders, began in 2015 and he has lived in Bermuda with his family since then.
The family will return to their home at Hat Head at the completion of the America’s Cup.
“We're looking forward to getting home in September,” Newton’s wife Sally said.
“As hard as it will be to leave these amazing beaches, we can't wait to get back to Hat Head.”
They have owned a property in Hat Head since 2008 and their two children Jamie aged 10 and Ruby aged eight attended Kinchela Public School.
Newton won the America’s Cup for the first time in 2010 with USA Team ‘Oracle’ and they overcame the odds to defend their title in 2013 after they trailed 8-1 in a first to 9 series.