America's Cup: American Magic signs up Airbus as Innovation Partner

New York, USA, 23 October 2018. Airbus Commercial Aircraft EVP Engineering Jean-Brice Dumont (R) and American Magic's Executive Director and Skipper Terry Hutchinson after announcing their Innovation partnership in a ceremony at the New York Yacht Club. © Enrique Shore

New York Yacht Club American Magic, the U.S. Challenger for sailing’s 36th America’s Cup, set to be held in 2021, today announced aerospace pioneer Airbus as its innovation partner.

As Official Innovation Partner, Airbus will allocate engineering resources and modeling expertise to assist in the design optimization of American Magic’s future AC75 racing boat – a brand new, cutting-edge, high-tech craft aiming to compete in sailing’s oldest and most coveted trophy.

Airbus will provide engineering support in areas such as simulation capabilities development, systems architecture design and testing, hydrodynamic calculation and optimization, boat control and instrumentation.

“This is a true challenge for the team to see how they can optimize technological innovation under tight time and resource constraints,” said Jean Brice Dumont, Executive Vice President Engineering at Airbus. “We love good, clean competition. That’s what pushes us to continually improve at innovating, solve challenges, learn from experience and, ultimately, win. Our goal in this project is to help American Magic design the fastest possible flying yacht for 2021.”

Dumont noted that Airbus’ engineering know-how was also sought out by the U.S. Defender in previous America’s Cup (2014-2017). Resulting concrete benefits for Airbus have included improved wing tip design for the A350 and new instrumentation now currently used on all aircraft development.

Sailing and aerospace have multiple shared technologies. Optimizing design, engineering, and data capture, analysis and simulation are among the parallel priorities of both the Airbus and American Magic teams. Wings produce lift while sails generate thrust, but both cut through the air in a similar way. When the hull of American Magic lifts out of the water, aerodynamics become crucial to speed and stability as they “fly” across the water on foils shaped like the wings of Airbus aircraft.

“It was important to have an Innovation Partner with past America’s Cup experience,” said Terry Hutchinson, Skipper and Executive Director of New York Yacht Club American Magic. “Airbus’ expertise and personnel will be critical to a Cup-winning design team. This engineering partnership has been active for the better part of 2018 and is nothing short of awesome. Together we will push sailing technology forward, win the biggest prize in the sport, and inspire sailors here at home and around the world.” This innovation partnership reflects Airbus’ significant and growing presence in North America. With major design, engineering and manufacturing facilities in both the United States and Canada, Airbus is a natural fit for the American Magic team. The Airbus team in North America is ready to see the America’s Cup return to its historic home in the U.S.

About Airbus

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

About the New York Yacht Club

The New York Yacht Club was founded in 1844 when nine New York yachtsmen met aboard John Cox Stevens' yacht and a year later its original clubhouse was built in Hoboken, N.J. The Club's Annual Regatta was first run in 1845. 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, on 44th Street in the heart of New York City, known for its Model Room and extensive nautical library, and Harbour Court in Newport, R.I., which 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.

www.nyyc.org

About New York Yacht Club American Magic

Formed in October 2017 by Bella Mente Racing, Quantum Racing and the New York Yacht Club, NYYC American Magic brings together two highly successful racing programs with one of the foremost yacht clubs in the world, 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. American Magic is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

www.americanmagic.com