New York Yacht Club American Magic and New England Science & Sailing Announce Partnership
New York Yacht Club American Magic and New England Science & Sailing (NESS) are delighted to unveil their new partnership aimed at expanding and enhancing the sport of sailing, with the ultimate goal of growing participation and cultivating the enjoyment of sailing across the United States.
This collaboration will see the development of a comprehensive suite of K-8 lesson plans and curricular units, utilizing American Magic’s campaign as a dynamic learning platform to advance students' academic achievements and enrich social-emotional development. Specifically designed to benefit high-needs learners, these resources will increase access to sailing for all youth.
NESS is a nationally recognized and accredited nonprofit education organization that provides students of all ages with year-round experiential programming that uses marine science, sailing, and adventure watersports as thrilling learning platforms. NESS’s standards-based STEM lessons and curricular units excite students with a combination of on-the-water and in-the-classroom learning that increases academic achievement while building confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills.
Through this strategic partnership, NESS will create experiential lesson plans and curricular units tailored for schools and community sailing programs across the United States. Leveraging American Magic team's extensive resources and access to top talent, NESS will deliver exceptional content that engages students and ignites their passion for learning in innovative and unprecedented ways.
“America’s Cup represents the pinnacle of the sport of sailing; it’s the sailing world’s equivalent of F1 racing,” says NESS Founder and Board Chairman Spike Lobdell. “NESS’s work serves a much broader audience, broadening the pyramid, focusing on providing access and improved outcomes for underserved students. By partnering with American Magic, we will engage youth in important learning related to the science and non-cognitive skills central to American Magic’s campaign.”
By participating in NESS’s lesson plans, students will explore topics such as the science of how boats sail faster than the wind, the technology that enables boats to foil, the design cycle that leads to constant advances in sailing performance, and the success skills – such as resilience, perseverance, and teamwork - that allow competitors to compete at the highest levels.
“American Magic is committed to building a team capable of winning the 37th America’s Cup and an enduring high-performance sailing franchise. Our ultimate mission is to win the America’s Cup and reenergize sailing in the United States,” said Mike Cazer, Chief Executive Officer of NYYC American Magic. “NESS was a natural partner for American Magic, given their strong relationships within the sailing community and their steadfast dedication to inclusivity and providing underserved students access to the sport. Furthermore, NESS's expertise in developing experiential learning resources will empower teachers nationwide to introduce, engage, and inspire their students with standards-based content, propelling the sport's growth and promoting even greater inclusivity.”
New York Yacht Club American Magic trained in Pensacola throughout the winter, utilizing the ideal sailing conditions in Pensacola Bay for AC75 development. Currently, the team is relocating to Barcelona to make their final push for the 37th America's Cup campaign in 2024. The prestigious event will be held in Barcelona, Spain, in September and October 2024.
ABOUT NEW ENGLAND SCIENCE & SAILING
New England Science & Sailing is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization that uses sailing, marine science, powerboating, and ocean adventure sports as experiential learning platforms to increase K-12 academic outcomes. NESS educators teach in classrooms and on the water, using over 100 proprietary lesson plans tied to school standards, including the Next Generation Science Standards, Ocean Literacy Principles, and Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning standards. NESS is the only school partner program accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
ABOUT NEW YORK YACHT CLUB AMERICAN MAGIC
American Magic is building a high-performance sailing franchise in the United States with a dual mandate to win the America's Cup and elevate sailing in America. Formed in 2017, New York Yacht Club American Magic combines two highly successful American racing programs, Bella Mente Racing and Quantum Racing, with one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. All are united by a determination to regain the America's Cup, reconnect the American sailing base with the premier event in the sport, and elevate the quality of competitive sailing in the United States.