NYYC American Magic celebrates the launch of its one-design AC40
On Tuesday afternoon, New York Yacht Club American Magic held a ceremony at its team base to reveal its new AC40, "America," the multi-use foiling monohull that all teams will use for testing and racing this summer in the initial preliminary regattas for the 37th America's Cup.
The team's first AC40 was christened by New York Yacht Club Rear Commodore Clare G. Harrington at the team's Pensacola base.
"AC40 America fulfills a brand new concept, that of providing a platform not only for the testing for our America's Cup campaign but also so younger sailors of both genders can develop their skills in these highly complex foiling machines. And so ensure the future of our sport way beyond the present America's Cup campaign cycle," said Commodore Harrington, addressing a crowd of team members, friends, and partners.
NYYC American Magic President of Sailing Operations/Skipper, Terry Hutchinson, said, "Today's a good day for New York Yacht Club American Magic; we christened our first AC40' America'. America is the yacht that started this entire adventure that we're on, and so it's exciting to name our first AC40 after the New York Yacht Club boat that captured and won the first America's Cup.
The new AC40 one-design yachts are foiling monohulls, 11.3 meters in length, and capable of reaching high speeds in the high 40-knot bracket. In addition, they are incredibly maneuverable and agile, making them ideal match-racing platforms.
"America" will be launched this week, and testing and development will begin in earnest. Later this summer in Barcelona, Spain, NYYC American Magic will begin two-boat testing with a second AC40.
"What we're going to see on the water is a boat that's a lot livelier and more fun for the sailors to sail. It will be exciting to watch the guys race two of these AC40s against each other," Hutchinson said. "What I look forward to with this boat is the racing side, the foil-development side, and then also looking at the simplicity of how the boats set up and seeing how well they can race it."