American Magic Racing Team Calls Pensacola its Second Home

But, why would Pensacola celebrate a New York-based sailing club’s win overseas?

That’s because Pensacola, with its large, pristine bay, has played a pivotal role in the team’s journey over the last few years.

Since 2021, the American Magic sailing team has utilized Pensacola’s calm waters as its winter training base. Their 75-foot yacht, Patriot, has spent many days slicing through Pensacola Bay at speeds that consistently topped 50 knots — or 57 mph! Although retired in January, Patriot’s legacy continues with the introduction of the next generation of high-tech racers.

Recently, American Magic launched a collaboration with Pensacola to establish a $15 million high-performance sailing center at the Port of Pensacola. This 63,000-square-foot American Magic High-Performance Training Center will be the epicenter for designing and building next-gen racing yachts, alongside hosting regattas and nurturing a new wave of sailing talent, from America's Cup contenders to Olympic sailors.

"This partnership with the City of Pensacola is an extraordinary opportunity for American Magic to amplify its commitment to sailing excellence," said Terry Hutchinson, Skipper and President of Sailing Operations in an announcement from American Magic. "We are excited to build our headquarters in Pensacola and to contribute to the thriving community. Pensacola Bay offers the perfect natural amphitheater to host sailing races from America’s Cup and Olympic Classes to Junior Sailing.”

Formed in 2017 with the goal of returning the cup to the U.S, the NYYC American Magic sail team combines two powerful American racing programs, Bella Mente Racing and Quantum Racing. The team considers Pensacola a perfect fit for their training base —with its large area and generally calm water creating perfect conditions for foiling.

The heritage of the NYYC American Magic sail team can be traced all the way back to the world’s first prestigious international sailing race series:

In 1851, New York Yacht Club (NYYC) founder and commodore John Cox Stevens, in his 101-foot schooner called ‘America,’ outraced 15 English yachts from the Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS) in the “100 Guineas Cup” sailing regatta. Witnessed by Queen Victoria and the future Edward VII, Stevens’ yacht America ended up winning the 53-mile English race around the Isle of Wight by 18 minutes.

The trophy, an ornate, 27-inch-tall sterling silver cup, was then renamed America, after the winning vessel, and donated to the NYYC. Henceforth, the America’s Cup was born, launching what would become the world’s most prestigious sailing race and oldest international competition still operating in any sport.

Soon, all eyes will be on Spain, where many nations will converge for the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup. It includes five events taking place between August and October in Barcelona. All nations competing will race in the new AC75s — a high-performance foiling monohull — for the very first time.

Following intensive training in Pensacola over the winter, the American Magic team recently arrived to Barcelona and is now gearing up for the final showdown later this year.

To learn more about the American Magic sail team’s mission to Barcelona and to watch captivating video of them in action, click here.

For spectators eager to witness American Magic in action once the crews return to Pensacola, prime viewing spots await at Palafox Pier or the Community Maritime Park in downtown Pensacola. As the team’s second home, Pensacola stands as a testament to the enduring bond between American Magic and the sailing community.