Very excited to join the New York Yacht Club American Magic, formerly Bella Mente Quantum Racing, as a challenger towards the 36th America's Cup in 2021. I am joining the team as the Associate Director of Sponsorship. The role focuses on Sponsor cultivation, fulfillment and activation over the course of the America's Cup events; including the Pre-Regatta Events (2019-2020), the Challenger Selection Series (Jan. 2021), and Match (March 2021) in Auckland, New Zealand. The team represents my home yacht club, New York Yacht Club. It is an honor to represent the club in their efforts to bring the cup back to 44th Street round table which sits patiently awaiting the Auld Mug.
Two documents have set the ground rules for this competition between bonafide yacht clubs and their respective nations. The Protocol, and the AC75 Class Rule. The protocol defines the event, challenger entry information, lead up events, nationality requirements and so on. The class rule defines the yacht and components that go into the building of the one or two AC75s. Through the Protocol schedule, the first boat is allowed to launch in April, 2019. Current expectations have the speeds match or exceed the previous AC50s from the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda.
the team
Formed in October 2017 by Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club, American Magic brings together two highly successful racing programs with one of the foremost yacht clubs in the nation, all with the shared vision of launching a campaign for the 36th America's Cup competition, reconnecting the American sailing base with sailing's premier event and elevating the quality of competitive sailing in the United States. The syndicate intends to develop and support a team that will participate in the America's Cup competition and the Challenger Selection Series competitions that lead up to it.
Philip Lotz, Commodore of the New York Yacht Club, said, "'America'" was the first boat to win the America's Cup in 1851. 'Magic' was the first boat to defend the Cup in 1870. American Magic builds on the legacy of those two yachts, and the name embodies the mission of our campaign, which is to win the Cup and in the process build the foundation for a stronger competitive sailing culture in the United States. The New York Yacht Club is very excited to be part of this campaign and the legacy we are striving to create."
More info on the team can be found here.
the cup's history
The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport. Also called the "Auld Mug", the trophy was originally contested in 1851 as the "£100 Cup" in the Isle of Wight. Commodore John Cox Stevens sailed his yacht over to compete for the trophy under the burgee of the New York Yacht Club. His yacht, America, won the trophy and became the name sake.
The remaining members of the America Syndicate donated the trophy to the New York Yacht Club through the Deed of Gift of the America's Cup on July 8th 1857. The deed specified the trophy be held as a perpetual challenge trophy which promotes friendly competition between nations.
Each edition of the challenge for the Auld Mug sees changes event specific requirements stating where, when, and what the yacht is. The Cup has seen a variety of yachts and stories through its' history. Imagine being a fly on that cup...