American Magic has been confirmed for the America’s Cup, joining Emirates Team New Zealand, INEOS Britannia, Alinghi Red Bull Racing and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team.
“We are extremely excited to continue our quest to regain the America’s Cup with American Magic,” said Paul M. Zabetakis, the new commodore of the New York Yacht Club. “Upon receiving the Protocol for the 37th Match, we were pleased to find that it contains elements advocated for by the club last spring. In addition, the Executive Committee recently received a new proposal from Doug DeVos and Hap Fauth, American Magic principals and club members, that warranted reconsidering our earlier decision to pause our pursuit of AC37.”
NYYC successfully defended the trophy 25 times before losing the Cup to Australia II and the Royal Perth Yacht Club in 1983. In the years since, the NYYC has challenged for the trophy four times. The most recent occasion, represented by American Magic, ended prematurely when the team was knocked out of the Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series in Auckland in January 2021 with a memorable capsize.
Then, in the spring, NYYC formed an alliance with the Stars+Stripes team rather than American Magic. Stars+Stripes had hoped to take part in the last Cup cycle, but suffered from a lack of funding.
However, due to a lack of clarity regarding the rules, timing and venue for the next Match, NYYC then decided in October, under the club’s previous commodore Christopher J. Culver, to pause its America’s Cup efforts.
Now, though, a renewed mutual desire to have American Magic sail on behalf of the club and commit to a campaign for at least two consecutive America’s Cup cycles, prompted the club and American Magic team to join forces again, for the 37th America’s Cup.
While winning remains the primary goal, it is not, we are told, the only focal point of the campaign though.
“The club’s involvement in AC37 must advance our foundational initiatives, including the development of America’s youth sailing talent and a commitment to increasing diversity within our sport,” said Paul Zabetakis. “We will also continue to push for changes to the structure of the competition that can make the event more accessible to challengers, fans and corporate partners.”
FUTURE DATES:
- 31 March 2022: Defender to announce Match Venue and approximate event dates
- 17 June 2022: New competitors may sail Version 1 AC75’s for 20 sailing days
- 31 July 2022: Entry Period Closes
- 17 September 2022: Competitors may sail an AC75 Yacht
- 30 November 2022: ACE to announce race schedule for the Match
- 30 November 2022: ACE to announce racing area for CSS and Match
- 31 December 2022: ACE to publish Brand Manual
2023
- 31 May 2023: Final cut off for late Challenger entries
