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By Graeme Harrison | American Magic

In the world of sailing, few events capture the imagination quite like the America’s Cup. It is a competition that seamlessly combines innovative design, cutting-edge technology, sailing mastery, and passion. NYYC American Magic, representing the New York Yacht Club, stands at the heart of this exhilarating narrative.

If you have not been closely following the high-stakes world of competitive sailing, it’s time to cast your gaze upon NYYC American Magic. The team is one of five challengers determined to win the America’s Cup and return the coveted trophy to American shores.

Continue reading to discover the team’s accomplishments in the past year and what lies ahead as they prepare for the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, Spain, scheduled for late 2024.

A Year in Review

Fall & Winter 2022: Training in Pensacola

For NYYC American Magic, the past year has represented a steadfast quest for excellence. In September 2022, as the autumn leaves fell, the team restarted their sailing program in Pensacola, Florida. Their mission? To prepare Patriot, their faithful AC75 yacht, in line with the new America’s Cup regulations. Here, on the quiet waters of Pensacola Bay, the team honed their skills, embraced the consistent winds, and chose between the bay’s flat waters and the more challenging waves of the Gulf. As US sailing aficionados understand, Pensacola Bay provides an ideal training environment not only for the art of foiling monohulls but also for sailing in general.
As Terry Hutchinson, Skipper and Executive Director of NYYC American Magic, reflects, “Pensacola Bay or the Gulf of Mexico provides you with a different feel and a different venue to develop your foiling monohull. The fact that there aren’t a lot of boats out there and we’re not dealing with a lot of traffic, we basically spent days out on the bay by ourselves. It’s phenomenal.”

March 2023: Unveiling the AC40, America

March 2023 marked a significant milestone for NYYC American Magic. They unveiled their first AC40, christened ‘America,’ in Pensacola, signaling the team’s readiness to elevate their skills.

But what distinguishes the AC40 from its larger sibling, the AC75?

AC40 vs. AC75: A Tale of Two Boats

The AC75, boasting cutting-edge design and technology, takes center stage in the America’s Cup. These hydrofoiling monohulls can reach speeds close to 55 knots, delivering a captivating display of skill and innovation. Unlike the AC75, the AC40 doesn’t compete in the America’s Cup (Challenger Series or Match); instead, it serves as a testing platform. The AC40 plays a pivotal role in the team’s preparations, offering a space for developing foils and sails, refining tactics, testing strategies, and fine-tuning crew synchronization. It enables the team to experiment with new technologies and designs, which can subsequently be integrated into their racing yacht, the AC75.

Tom Burnham, Head Sailing Coach for NYYC American Magic, explains,

“The AC40, primarily our testing boat, comprises a team of four. However, when we get the AC75 in the water, it will involve a team of eight. It’ll be a combination of the power source in the team, the cyclors, powering the boat with hydraulic energy, as well as the sailors who trim the sails, fly the boat, and steer it. Therefore, the makeup of the team in the AC75 will be different from what we have with the AC40.”

Summer 2023: Sailing in Barcelona with AC40 Magic

As summer arrived, the team embarked on a new chapter in their journey. Barcelona, Spain, became their playground as they launched their second AC40, named ‘Magic.’ Sailing in this iconic city presented unique challenges and opportunities, offering a glimpse of what lies ahead in the America’s Cup.

Summer 2023: Two-Boat Testing Program

Summer ushered in another pivotal phase in the team’s preparations. NYYC American Magic initiated a two-boat testing program, underscoring their commitment to learning lessons from AC36. This strategy isn’t merely about sailing two boats concurrently; it’s a rigorous process that pits ‘America’ against ‘Magic,’ fine-tuning race strategies and tactics, maximizing their chances for success in the America’s Cup.

September 2023: Victory in Vilanova Preliminary Regatta

In September 2023, American Magic clinched victory in the inaugural AC preliminary regatta in Vilanova, Spain. This milestone showcased the team’s expertise and readiness to challenge the other sailing teams. The victory was a testament to the team’s unwavering dedication, meticulous planning, and the fruits of their tireless labor.

As Olympic Gold Medalist and Helmsman Paul Goodison said, “Victory in Vilanova was more than a win. Having such a strong regatta was a reflection on the whole team, everybody in the base who did such a fantastic job helping prepare the sailors for this event. And it’s a real testament to the power of the group and the strength of the team as a whole.”
Sailing Ahead: The Next 12 Months

Continuation of the Two-Boat Testing Program

Looking to the future, NYYC American Magic remains unwavering in its commitment to relentless improvement and its two-boat AC40 testing program. This approach not only sharpens their sailing and racing skills but also aids in foil and sail development programs. It represents an ongoing pursuit of perfection, extracting every possible advantage as the team prepares to face the fierce competition of the America’s Cup.

Boat Building, Design, and Sailing Programs

The next 12 months will witness a seamless fusion of AC75 boat building, design refinement, and extensive sailing programs. Every component and system of a brand new AC75, the team’s racing yacht that will take center stage in the America’s Cup, will be meticulously crafted and rigorously tested.

Launch of the AC75: The Racing Beast

In Spring/Summer 2024, the team will unveil their new AC75, the pinnacle of sailing technology, poised to compete in the America’s Cup. This cutting-edge yacht represents the culmination of their efforts, designed with a singular purpose: victory in the America’s Cup match race series.

In the words of Tom Slingsby, Helmsman for NYYC American Magic,

“We are not privy to the activities of other teams; instead, we center our attention on our own program. We have faith in our designers, our team, and our design tools to deliver an exceptionally fast AC75 boat. We trust our chosen course of action, and the current phase of our journey marks our unwavering belief, not only in the entire American Magic team but also in the correctness of the path we have chosen.”

America’s Cup Challenger Series – September 2024

The penultimate goal of this extraordinary journey will be the America’s Cup Challenger Series, scheduled for September 2024. It’s here that NYYC American Magic will compete against other elite challengers for the right to face the defender. The objective is crystal clear – to secure victory in the Challenger Series and earn the privilege of challenging the defending champion, Team New Zealand, in the grand finale.

The America’s Cup Match – October 2024

If all goes according to plan, NYYC American Magic will find themselves in the ultimate showdown, racing against the defender in the America’s Cup Match on October 12, 2024. It would represent the culmination of years of hard work, innovation, and unwavering dedication. The entire sailing world will be watching to discover who will win the 37th America’s Cup.

In the words of Doug DeVos, Team Principal, “You can observe the leadership within the team and the alignment that everyone shares, signifying that we are all in this together. We’re going to be as creative as possible. We’re going to be committed to excellence. We’re going to get everyone focused on our common goal. And we’re gonna go to Barcelona and leave it all out on the water.”

As we gaze into the future, one thing is evident: NYYC American Magic leaves no stone unturned in its quest for America’s Cup glory. Their dedication, innovation, and unwavering resolve propel them forward. The next 12 months promise to be as thrilling as the last as they pursue their dream of bringing the America’s Cup back home to American shores.