From racing boats to protecting freedom

When America’s Cup challenger American Magic needed a winter training base for the 2021 Cup, they selected Pensacola, FL. This was 2019 when the venue was better known for the home of the National Naval Aviation Museum and the US Navy Blue Angels demonstration squadron.

“Pensacola has completely exceeded expectations,” said crew Andrew Campbell upon arrival. “Flat water, plenty of breeze, hasn’t been too cold and people are good here. They’ve treated us really well. It’s just a nice big racetrack where we can stretch out and do everything we need to do testing wise but it’s challenging enough that it keeps us keep us on our toes. We couldn’t be any happier to be here.”

Apparently, it was love at first sight for everyone, as government support helped build the American Magic High Performance Center facility which opened January 2026 to provide a world-class sailing and performance platform and serve advanced manufacturing, marine technologies, and aerospace projects. And create local jobs.

The area continues to attract attention as the sailing facility was used by Florida’s Governor and Secretary of Commerce to announce a funding award toward the construction of shipbuilding facilities that will create 2,000 new jobs to produce complex Navy ship modules for submarines and surface vessels.

“There are moments in a city’s history that define trajectory for not just years but for generations, and I certainly think this is one of those days,” said Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves.