America’s Cup: Sailing roster for USA Challenge

New York, NY (July 2, 2018) – New York Yacht Club American Magic, the U.S. sailing team challenging for the 36th America’s Cup, has announced an initial roster of 17 sailors who will train and compete with the team. The accomplished group includes nine Americans and sailors from four other nations. The 36th America’s Cup will take place in March 2021 off Auckland, New Zealand.

“We’re excited to announce the names on our current sailing team, and continue the process of building a focused and successful program,” said Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Md.) Skipper and Executive Director of American Magic.

“Every personnel decision we make in this campaign will be with a single goal in mind, and that is to win the America’s Cup in 2021. With the support of our 90-strong collection of world-class designers, boatbuilders and staff, our sailors will be capable of accomplishing that goal.”

The AC75 class, a new type of 75-foot hydro-foiling boat designed specifically for the next edition of the America’s Cup, the world’s oldest international sporting event, is expected to race with a crew of 11 sailors.

“A major consequence of the decision to return the regatta to cutting-edge mono-hulled boats of this size is that America’s Cup racing has been refocused on sailing skills and teamwork,” said Hutchinson, a 14-time world champion and veteran of four Cup campaigns. “It will take a high level of performance from everyone onboard to get these boats around the racecourse.”

American Magic’s team roster includes the combined experience of 31 America’s Cup campaigns, and three team members are previous Cup winners. Eight American Magic sailors are Olympians, with two medals won, and the roster has earned over 60 world championship victories in various classes.

American Magic sailors who are also Olympic hopefuls on the US Sailing Team will be given the flexibility to pursue their campaigns for Tokyo 2020 while operating as part of the America’s Cup team.

“This team roster includes a great balance of proven experience and youth, and will help establish the next generation of America’s Cup talent in the United States,” said Hap Fauth (Naples, Fla.), Team Principal and CEO of American Magic.

“Thanks to the efforts of our partners at US Sailing, Oakcliff and other organizations that have supported high-performance sailing, we have capable athletes coming out of Olympic, foiling and development classes here at home. They will help our team win on the water, and also help reengage the American audience with sailing’s pinnacle event.”

American Magic continues to make steady progress on the path towards Auckland, and the team recently opened a dedicated boatbuilding facility in Bristol, R.I. Under the rules governing the 36th America’s Cup, the earliest an AC75 can be launched by any team is March 31, 2019. American Magic is expected to begin sailing their first boat soon after this date, and conduct initial testing on the waters of Narragansett Bay and Rhode Island Sound.

“The return of America’s Cup activity to the Newport, Rhode Island area will be a thrilling sight for sailing fans here, across the country and around the world,” said Phil Lotz (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.), the 65th Commodore of the New York Yacht Club.

“For 175 years, the New York Yacht Club has been dedicated to moving competitive sailing forward. Defending and challenging for the Cup, a trophy we held for 132 years, has been a large part of the club’s commitment to our sport. We’re proud to return to the America’s Cup arena with this exceptional sailing team.”

The team, led by Fauth, Team Principal Doug DeVos (Grand Rapids, Mich.), and Team Principal Roger Penske (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.) is one of three confirmed Challengers set to compete for the Cup against the current holders, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and its defending team, Emirates Team New Zealand. To date, Luna Rossa Challenge from Italy and INEOS Team UK from Great Britain have also been announced as Challengers.

“Racing for the America’s Cup is a dream shared by all competitive sailors,” said James Lyne (Granville, Vermont), Head Coach of the team. “American Magic is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our athletes. We are led by a great group of principals, have talented designers, experienced builders, and we are representing New York Yacht Club, with its unmatched America’s Cup history. The stars have aligned to give us this chance to win back the Cup for the United States.”

Sailing Team: New York Yacht Club American Magic

Skipper & Executive Director:
• Terry Hutchinson (Annapolis, Maryland, United States)

Helms/Tacticians:
• Dean Barker (Auckland, New Zealand)
• Andrew Campbell (San Diego, California, United States)
• Bora Gulari (Detroit, Michigan, United States)
• Ian Moore (Cowes, Great Britain)

Sail Trimmers:
• Trevor Burd (Marblehead, Massachusetts, United States)
• Maciel Cicchetti (Mar del Plata, Argentina)
• Paul Goodison (Sheffield, Great Britain)
• David Hughes (Miami, Florida, United States)

Specialists:
• Matt Cassidy (San Diego, California, United States)
• Sean Clarkson (Mill Valley, California – Nationality: New Zealand)
• Jim Turner (Auckland, New Zealand)

Grinders:
• Cooper Dressler (Coronado, California, United States)
• Luke Muller (Ft. Pierce, Florida, United States)
• Caleb Paine (San Diego, California, United States)
• Luke Payne (Fremantle, Australia)
• Joe Spooner (Auckland, New Zealand)

Head Coach:
• James Lyne (Granville, Vermont, United States)

Team details: http://www.americanmagic.com

Source: Will Ricketson, New York Yacht Club American Magic

Key America’s Cup dates:
✔ September 28, 2017: 36th America’s Cup Protocol released
✔ November 30, 2017: AC75 Class concepts released to key stakeholders
✔ January 1, 2018: Entries for Challengers open
✔ March 31, 2018: AC75 Class Rule published
✔ June 30, 2018: Entries for Challengers close
August 31, 2018: Location of the America’s Cup Match and The PRADA Cup confirmed
August 31, 2018: Specific race course area confirmed
November 30, 2018: Late entries deadline
March 31, 2019: Boat 1 can be launched
2nd half of 2019: 2 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
February 1, 2020: Boat 2 can be launched
During 2020: 3 x America’s Cup World Series Preliminary Events
December 10-20, 2020: America’s Cup Christmas Race
January and February 2021: The PRADA Cup Challenger Selection Series
March 2021: The America’s Cup Match

Protocol of the 36th America’s Cup
Key Points of the Protocol
Deed of Gift
AC75 Class Rule (v1.0)

Source: America’s Cup