Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M600

New York Yacht Club to Challenge for 37th America's Cup with American Magic

by New York Yacht Club 7 Jan 2022 12:17 PST
NYYC American Magic during the 36th America's Cup © Pedro Martinez / Sailing Energy / American Magic

Earlier this week the Trustees of the New York Yacht Club approved a challenge for the 37th edition of the America's Cup, sailing's most prestigious trophy.

"We are extremely excited to continue our quest to regain the America's Cup with American Magic," says Paul M. Zabetakis, M.D., Commodore of the New York Yacht Club (at right). "Upon receiving the Protocol for the 37th Match, we were pleased to find that it contains elements advocated for by the Club last spring. In addition, the Executive Committee recently received a new proposal from Doug DeVos and Hap Fauth, American Magic principals and Club members, that warranted reconsidering our earlier decision to pause our pursuit of AC37."

Read the Protocol for the 37th America's Cup here...

The New York Yacht Club created the America's Cup and successfully defended it 25 times before losing the Cup to Australia II and the Royal Perth Yacht Club in 1983. In the years since, the New York Yacht Club has challenged for the trophy four times. The most recent challenge, represented by American Magic, ended prematurely when the team was knocked out of the Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series in Auckland in January of 2021.

Discussions regarding the Club's next challenge started shortly after Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the Cup last March. However, due to a lack of clarity regarding the rules, timing and venue for the next Match, the Club decided in October to pause its America's Cup efforts.

A renewed mutual desire to have American Magic sail on behalf of the Club and commit to a campaign for at least two consecutive America's Cup cycles, prompted the Club and team to join forces for the 37th America's Cup.

"While the result in Auckland was not what we had hoped for, skipper Terry Hutchinson and the entire team were tremendous ambassadors for the Club and displayed exemplary sportsmanship throughout the campaign," says Zabetakis. "The America's Cup remains the highest peak in sailing and one of the most difficult challenges in the world of sport. The lessons learned during our previous campaign, combined with American Magic's physical and intellectual assets and a commitment to multiple cycles, will ensure this challenge a strong chance to claim sailing's ultimate prize."

While winning remains the primary goal, it's not the only focal point of the campaign.

"The Club's involvement in AC37 must advance our foundational initiatives, including the development of America's youth sailing talent and a commitment to increasing diversity within our sport," says Zabetakis. "We will also continue to push for changes to the structure of the competition that can make the event more accessible to challengers, fans and corporate partners."

The team and the Club eagerly await the announcement within the next few months of the venue and schedule for the 37th America's Cup.

Related Articles

NYYC International Women's Championship update
The first group of invited skippers have been announced Elite-level international women's keelboat competition will return to Newport, R.I., in late summer of 2026 when the New York Yacht Club hosts the inaugural International Women's Championship. Posted on 30 Jun
2025 Tiedemann Regatta
Experience shines alongside the brightwork at the Nw York Yacht Club A century ago, R Class yachts were the sports cars of the yachting world, sleek and low to the ground, nimble in the corners and quick around the course, and, above all, demanding to drive. Posted on 30 Jun
CYCS 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta preview
Bringing together some of the most beautiful yachts on the water The Classic Yacht Owners Association's annual Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) kicks off a summer of stunning northeastern sailing with the 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta this weekend. Posted on 27 Jun
Tschüss 2 - Transatlantic Titans
Line Honours for Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 in the Transatlantic Race 2025 Volvo 70 Tschüss 2 (USA), owned by Christian Zugel and co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has taken Line Honours in the West to East Transatlantic Race 2025 in an elapsed time of 07 Day 15 Hrs 29 Mins and 10 Secs. Posted on 26 Jun
Tschüss 2 powers ahead in Transatlantic Race
Her nearest rival, some 300 miles astern, is Oliver Kobale's VO65 Sisi Six days into the West-East Transatlantic Race, Christian Zugel's Volvo 70 Tschüss 2, co-skippered by Johnny Mordaunt, has raced over 2,000 miles and is the clear leader for both Monohull Line Honours and the overall IRC win. Posted on 23 Jun
Competitors readying for epic battle
Distance racing is inherently an uncomfortable sport Enjoying a spectacular evening cocktail reception overlooking Newport Harbor, one competitor in the upcoming Transatlantic Race 2025, which starts tomorrow off Castle Hill Lighthouse just after 1 pm. Posted on 18 Jun
M32s at the NYYC 171st Annual Regatta
Clean Sweep Continues: Surge Takes Top Spot Ryan McKillen's Surge is four for four. The M32 team remains undefeated in 2025 after winning the M32 fleet at the New York Yacht Club 171st Annual Regatta, the opening event of the M32 Newport One-Design Series. Posted on 16 Jun
171st Annual Regatta at the New York Yacht Club
Coast Guard Cadets Show Their Mettle With About Face Sometimes a regatta win is just that. Sometimes it can mean a little bit more. For those looking for a splash of positivity that extends well beyond the racecourses at the New York Yacht Club's 171st Annual Regatta, consider the performance of Elan. Posted on 16 Jun
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, overall
Corinthian Yacht Club puts on top notch performance to win Sustained winds in the low 20-knot range and choppy seas brought on another challenging day in the final stretch of the 2025 Team Racing World Championship. Posted on 2 Jun
Team Racing Worlds at Newport, RI, Day 3
Epic breeze cuts racing short; clear division between teams sets scene for final day Sunny skies met big breeze on Day 3 but by 12:30 p.m. racing was postponed, and as the wind built to 25+, the Race Committee abandoned racing at 3:00 p.m. Posted on 1 Jun
Zhik 2024 DecemberHyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSea Sure 2025