American Magic and Pensacola

The U.S Contender for the 37th America’s Cup!

COUNTDOWN TO AC37

Team American Magic is the U.S. sailing team formed by Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing, and the New York Yacht Club to compete in the 37th America’s Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions.

American Magic is led by experienced world-class sailors and supported by a dedicated team of professionals.

The America’s Cup was first held in 1851 and is a match race between two sailing yachts, with the winner taking home the trophy. The current edition of the America’s Cup is being held in Barcelona Spain in 2024 with teams from the U.S, New Zealand, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and France competing.

Beginning in 2018, Team American Magic trained for the America’s Cup in Pensacola, Florida, where they leveraged the steady breeze, warm weather, and protected waters to hone their skills and refine their strategy. The team is made up of some of the world’s top sailors, including Skipper Terry Hutchinson, Helmsmen Paul Goodison, Tom Slingsby, and Riley Gibbs, acompanied by  Andrew Campbell, Lucas Calabrese, Michael Menninger, and Dan Morris, a virtual and practical power-house of  experience and skill.

In Pensacola, under the steady coaching of Tom Burnham, Team American Magic logged impressive hours of training on the water, both in Pensacola Bay and off-shore in the Gulf of Mexico, working on everything from boat handling and speed to tactics and strategy. On-shore, the team used a state-of-the-art simulator to analyze and improve their performance, and they are also working closely with their sponsors and partners to optimize their equipment and technology.

While in Pensacola, the team trained on their full-size 75-foot foiling monohull, Patriot, before launching their forty-foot AC40 “America” on their way to  challenging the current holder of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand. With their world-class skills, cutting-edge technology, and fierce determination, Team American Magic is poised to make a furious showing in the competition and bring the America’s Cup home to the United States!

Where Are They Now?

Team American Magic has moved their athletes, boats, and base to Barcelona to get ready for the AC37 event.  The first phase of the competition is a series of two preliminary regattas, sailed in the teams’ AC40.  The dates and locations:

Vilanova i La Geltru, September 14-17, 2023;

Jeddah, Saudia Arabia, November 30-December 3, 2023.

A final preliminary regatta will occur in August 2024 in Barcelona with all teams introducing their new AC75’s for the first time.

Making a Home

Sail Pensacola is working to wrap the team in a home-town sailing ecosystem that super-charges their drive to bring the Cup home! Thanks to the City of Pensacola, on their return, American Magic will also find a new base to call home in the Port of Pensacola!  

Pensacola and American Magic:  It’s a perfect fit!

What is America and Magic?: “America” and “Magic” are now both on the team!

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