Feature

Keeping America’s Cup team in Pensacola

Published on April 24th, 2023

Pensacola is looking to build a $15 million Center for Maritime Excellence at the Port of Pensacola that will serve as the Florida training headquarters for the New York Yacht Club American Magic sail racing team.

Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves said the city would be seeking a $10 million grant from Triumph Gulf Coast and a $5 million grant from the Governor’s Job Growth Grant Fund to build the Center for Maritime Excellence.

“We’re ready to go. We’ve gotten a lot of good momentum,” Reeves said. “I’ve spent a lot of time in Tallahassee. I’ve been over there three times in the last six weeks or so, meeting with stakeholders and advocating for this project, not just at the Triumph level but also additional state funding sources. I think those meetings have been very positive.” – Full report

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup will be held in September/October 2024.