Patriot earns a peaceful retirement

With a back-story rich in hope, despair, redemption, and pay-back but for now, the AC75 Patriot for America’s Cup challenger NYYC American Magic has sailed off into the sunset.

As the team’s second boat for the 36th edition, Patriot was designed by Marcelino Botin and joined a long list of venerable New York Yacht Club yachts that honored the United States with names such as America, Columbia, Freedom, Liberty, Young America, and Stars & Stripes.

The 2021 America’s Cup started well for American Magic with the team seen as the ones to beat. But entering day three of the challenger selection series, and in a match against Luna Rossa that they were handily leading, a call for a tack-bear-away at the top mark in a freshening breeze saw Patriot sky-rocket on the bear-away and crash down into a capsize on her port side, causing significant damage and very nearly sinking her.

A mammoth, multi-team and agency rescue effort saved her and then a herculean task was undertaken to patch her up for the semi-finals. However, the form that she had was eclipsed by the speed of Luna Rossa and she was eliminated from the Prada Cup on January 30, 2021 after four successive defeats.

Returning the boat back to the team’s US base in Pensacola, Florida, her future was uncertain but with the 37th America’s Cup Protocol announced, she came back into commission on the October 15, 2022.

For nearly three months, Patriot was test-sailed out on the smooth, perfect waters of Pensacola Bay and delivered outstanding performances through to two very notable upper wind-range sessions on the final two days before being de-commissioned on February 4, 2023.

Patriot made the trans-Atlantic crossing in white shrink wrap and was secreted to the back of the shed at the team’s Barcelona base until the decision was taken to use her again for full-scale systems testing, replacing the grinding pedestals of old and installing cyclors, as well as a whole heap of internal (unseen) and new deck appliances.

Patriot splashed for two days from the 6th to the 8th of November 2023 for detailed technician work before the grand old dame of the AC75s took her first flight on the November 9, 2023. Since then, the team has conducted a total of 25 test days in Barcelona through a variety of conditions with a final sail, for now at least, on January 23, 2024.

Terry Hutchinson who sailed aboard her at AC36 and is now the Skipper and President of Sailing Operations for NYYC American Magic, notes how Patriot had been an enormous asset to the overall NYYC American Magic program.

“We’ve learned so much from her and, as everyone knows, we’ve been through a lot together. Sometimes a boat gets into your soul and Patriot will always have a place in our hearts when we reflect on the America’s Cup. As a workhorse and test platform, she’s been vital for our latest stage of systems and crew technique development. Maybe we’ll see her again, but for now, we wish Patriot a peaceful retirement – she’s earned it.”

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 begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 5: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: ACE