America's Cup: American Magic appoint Control Systems partner
by Will Ricketson, American Magic 9 Jan 2019 13:19 PST
10 January 2019
AM38 - American Magic - First day of sailing in Pensacola, Florida © Amory Ross
New York Yacht Club's team American Magic, Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup, have announced Parker Hannifin, the global leader in motion control technologies, as its Official Control Systems Partner.
Parker and American Magic will work together to develop and implement state-of-the-art systems for the team’s racing boats. Leveraging a portfolio of proven aerospace and industrial technologies, these systems will provide the advanced yachts with precise control of the lifting surfaces and the wing required to produce optimum performance.
Parker’s contributions across American Magic’s design and engineering programs will be crucial to the team’s campaign to compete for and win the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sports and the highest prize in sailing.
“We are incredibly fortunate to have Parker on our team,” said Terry Hutchinson, Skipper and Executive Director of American Magic. “Parker has sent world-class engineers and products to help us, and they have significant experience with sailing, the marine industry and the America’s Cup. Additionally, Parker’s long-term relationship with Airbus, our Official Innovation Partner, will really allow American Magic to make major gains and complete our control systems puzzle.”
Parker will integrate its controls, hydraulics and actuators into a key motion and control system that helps the boat achieve stability as it lifts onto its foils and accelerates, by applying an extensive range of core technologies and more than a century of engineering expertise. A leader in innovation and creating intellectual property, Parker holds more than 8,000 patents and is a Fortune 250 company.
"Parker is honored to be a part of the American Magic Team and to build on our long history with the America's Cup," said Craig Maxwell, Vice President - Chief Technology and Innovation Officer for Parker. "The motion and control challenges that are presented by this latest generation of foiling monohull yachts are significant and relevant to those that we see in our core business. The opportunity to partner with some of the most talented engineers and athletes on the planet in the crucible of a world-class competition is a recipe for technology advancement, and hopefully some American Magic."
The 36th America’s Cup match will take place in Auckland New Zealand in March 2021. Prior to the America’s Cup, American Magic will compete in the America’s Cup World Series and the Prada Cup, the Challenger selection events, for the right to face current Cup Defender Emirates Team New Zealand.
The team’s operational home is in Rhode Island, which hosted America’s Cup racing from 1930-1983 when the Cup was defended by the United States and New York Yacht Club, the first club to win the trophy in 1851. American Magic has established both boatbuilding and sailing facilities in the Ocean State.
About Parker Hannifin
Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than 100 years the company has engineered the success of its customers in a wide range of diversified industrial and aerospace markets. Learn more at www.parker.com or @parkerhannifin
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’s Official Innovation Partner is Airbus. Other partnerships include Official Apparel Sponsor Helly Hansen and Official Control Systems Sponsor Parker Hannifin. American Magic is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. www.americanmagic.com