New York Yacht Club American Magic Announces Youth Team for the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup 2024

New York Yacht Club American Magic is proud to introduce the youth team that will represent the United States at the UniCredit Youth America's Cup. This lineup features some of the best sailing talent in the country, set to compete against 11 other nations from September 17 to 26 in Barcelona, Spain.

The seven sailors selected are:

Severin Gramm: Delray Beach, FL
Ian MacDiarmid: Miami Beach, FL
Harry Melges: Fontana, WI
Kyle Navin: Fontana, WI
Ben Rosenberg: East Greenwich, RI
Finn Rowe: Fontana, WI
Ripley Shelley: Miami, FL

"It's an incredible honor to be selected for the American Magic Youth Team and compete in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup,” said Harry Melges, the 2021 US Rolex Yachtsman of the Year. "Competing in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup with such a talented group is a dream. Each teammate brings unique strengths, and together, we'll push our limits and strive for victory in Barcelona."

Under the guidance and leadership of President of Sailing Operations Terry Hutchinson and Coaches Kinley Fowler and Charlie Ogletree, American Magic has assembled a versatile and skilled sailing team.

"We've formed a strong team to represent the United States and challenge at the Youth America’s Cup," said Hutchinson. "NYYC members Amy Ironmonger, Suzy Leech, and Peter McClennen have provided invaluable mentorship and guidance through a rigorous selection process."

Based in Badalona for the next two months, the NYYC American Magic Youth Team has begun intensive training on the AC40, marking a significant milestone in their preparation for the upcoming Youth America's Cup. The team is taking advantage of excellent sailing conditions with winds ranging from 5 to 20 knots and sea states from 0.3m to 1.3m.

"These conditions are fantastic for learning the boats and training," said Terry Hutchinson. “All the sailors have sailed on the AC40 and will continue race training over the coming weeks.”

The UniCredit Youth America's Cup is designed to light an exciting pathway for the next generation of foiling sailing stars. The event combines fleet racing and one-on-one match racing, ensuring the highest level of competition. The final race will see the top two boats compete during the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, showcasing the future of sailing.

NYYC American Magic's youth sailors are poised to make their mark at the upcoming Youth America's Cup, thanks to the unwavering support of team principals Hap Fauth and Doug DeVos, the New York Yacht Club, donors, sponsors, and volunteers.

"The seven talented sailors named to the youth team represent the future of American sailing, and I am very excited to see them perform in the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup,” said Commodore L. Jay Cross. The fact that five of the seven are members of the New York Yacht Club highlights our commitment to excellence in the sport."

Stay updated with NYYC American Magic's Youth Team on AmericanMagic.com and join the conversation on Instagram @AmericanMagicTeam.

For media inquiries, please contact Media@AmericanMagic.com.

Athlete Profiles

Severin Gramm: Delray Beach, FL

Severin Gramm, a talented sailor from Delray Beach, Florida, has swiftly made his mark in competitive sailing while pursuing his education. A recent Business graduate from Brown University, Gramm boasts impressive achievements on the water, including victories in the 2022 F18 World and European Championships and the 2021 E-Scow National Championship. His successes across various classes highlight his versatility. Since June 2023, he has been training with the NYYC American Magic America’s Cup Team, honing his skills on the AC40 in Barcelona, Spain, as he prepares for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup.

Ian MacDiarmid: (Miami Beach, FL)

Ian MacDiarmid, from Miami Beach, Florida, embodies versatility and perseverance across various sailing classes. Starting his sailing journey at age four, MacDiarmid has excelled in Optimists, high-performance skiffs, and foiling boats. He is ranked third globally in the 49er class and holds U.S. and North American 49er championship titles. His accomplishments include a sixth-place finish at the 2021 49er World Championships in Oman and a victory at the Red Bull Foiling Generation North America. As a member of the US Sailing Team, MacDiarmid has represented his country in prestigious events like the Pan American Games. Now part of the NYYC American Magic youth team, he focuses on training for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup.

Harry Melges: (Fontana, WI)

Harry Melges IV, from Fontana, Wisconsin, carries forward a rich sailing heritage with a steely determination. Starting at age six on Lake Geneva, Melges has honed his skills in various classes, from E Scows to the high-performance TP52. His recent accomplishments include a third-place finish in the 2023 TP52 Super Series with Quantum Racing, powered by American Magic. Named the 2021 US Rolex Yachtsman of the Year, Melges has secured eight national championships across different classes. Training with NYYC American Magic America’s Cup Team since June 2023, he is now focused on the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup as part of the youth team.

Kyle Navin: (Fontana, WI)

Kyle Navin, a determined sailor from Fontana, Wisconsin, began his sailing journey at age five on Geneva Lake. Navin has honed his skills across various disciplines, winning the E Scow Nationals and securing second place in the 2023 Nite Nationals Iceboat Regatta. Pausing his mechanical engineering studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Navin has been working with the NYYC American Magic America's Cup Team since June 2023, and is now training with the NYYC American Magic youth team in Badalona, Spain for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup. His aspirations extend to the America’s Cup and further championships in scow sailing. Off the water, Navin enjoys skiing and cycling, reflecting his well-rounded approach.

Ben Rosenberg: (East Greenwich, RI)

Ben Rosenberg, a promising sailor from East Greenwich, Rhode Island, embodies the spirit of American competitive sailing. Born into a nautical family, Rosenberg's journey began on his parents' boat when he was just three days old. A mechanical engineering graduate from the University of Rhode Island, he balances technical acumen with on-water prowess. His achievements include a U.S. Youth Championship in the Nacra 15 class, a fifth-place finish at the 2023 Moth French Nationals, and second overall in the 2022 Waszp US Nationals. Now training with the NYYC American Magic youth team in Badalona, Spain, for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup, Rosenberg pursues dual ambitions: winning a Moth World Championship and an America's Cup. Off the water, he maintains his competitive edge through recreational cycling and occasional races.

Finn Rowe: (Fontana, WI)

Finn Rowe, a native of Fontana, Wisconsin, brings a wealth of experience to the NYYC American Magic Youth team as he prepares for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup. A three-time E-Scow National Champion and a four-time E-Scow Inland Champion, Rowe spent three years on the United States Sailing Team, competing in the 2020 US Olympic Trials. Currently pursuing majors in Finance and Real Estate at DePaul University’s Driehaus College of Business, Rowe is marked by his commitment to excellence on and off the water. His experience includes coaching high school sailing teams and competing internationally, positioning him as a formidable competitor and a promising talent.

Ripley Shelley: (Miami, FL)

Ripley Shelley, from Miami, Florida, is a talented sailor on the NYYC American Magic Youth team, gearing up for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America's Cup. Shelley's impressive track record includes a second-place finish at the 2022 Melges 24 World Championship and the 2019 29er World Championship and being a two-time E-Scow National Champion. Training on the AC40 in Badalona, Spain, Ripley continues to build experience and refine his skills, embodying the spirit teamwork essential for success in the sport.

About American Magic
American Magic is building the 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.

About the New York Yacht Club
The New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 when nine New York yachtsmen met in New York Harbor aboard John Cox Stevens’ yacht, Gimcrack. A year later, the Club's first clubhouse was built in Hoboken, N.J. The Club’s Annual Regatta was first run in 1846. The Club was the keeper of the America’s Cup from 1851 to 1983, and it organized the first transatlantic race in 1866. The Club maintains two exquisite clubhouses, one on 44th Street in the heart of New York City, known for its Model Room and extensive nautical library. The second clubhouse, at Harbour Court in Newport, R.I., annually hosts some of North America’s most prestigious sailing events, including the Annual Regatta, Race Week at Newport presented by Rolex, the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, and the Queen’s Cup.