New venture to energize USA sailing

While the America’s Cup Defender and Challenger of Record work out details for the 38th edition, the other teams must keep their assets busy. Here’s an update on how one team is doing that:

American Magic, the US challenger for the 36th and 37th America’s Cup, and Nautor Swan, a global leader in yacht design and manufacturing, have created a strategic partnership aimed at energizing sailing in America and growing the marine industry. The joint venture will initially focus on developing the ClubSwan 28 regatta series, a new competitive platform for sailors and yacht owners in the United States.

In addition, the collaboration will combine American Magic’s cutting-edge engineering and boat-building expertise with Nautor Swan’s innovative yacht design and manufacturing capabilities. Together, they aim to create a unique opportunity for yacht owners and competitive sailors while driving growth and innovation within the broader US sailing and marine industry.

“This joint venture marks a significant step in American Magic’s mission to lead sailing in the United States into a new era of innovation and competition,” said Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations at American Magic. “By combining Nautor Swan’s iconic yacht design with our advanced engineering and boat-building capabilities, we are poised to transform the competitive sailing landscape in America, providing a high-performance platform racing and operations platform for sailors, boat owners, and the broader marine industry.”

The joint venture will start with the ClubSwan 28 project, which includes the creation of a new regatta series and the development of a fleet of ClubSwan 28 boats. These boats will debut in a series of regattas planned for late 2025, to be held in Pensacola and across the East Coast.

The venture’s immediate goal is to establish a competitive platform that expands the presence of Nautor Swan yachts in the US while supporting American Magic’s ongoing mission to grow the sport and marine industry in the region.

“This is a natural evolution for both Nautor Swan and American Magic,” said Giovanni Pomati, CEO of Nautor Swan. “I am particularly pleased with the agreement we’ve reached with American Magic, a team full of talent in every sector. We needed a partner who shares our vision and values, and reenergizing sailing in America is our challenge, both commercially and technologically.”

Tyson Lamond, Chief Operations Officer at American Magic, added, “The introduction of shared services for the ClubSwan 28 fleet represents a shift in how regattas can be operated. Teams no longer need to travel with full support crews, as we’re providing the operational backbone to ensure yachts are race-ready. This is the first step in a broader vision to streamline competition, build infrastructure for the future, and showcase the capabilities of our Pensacola High-Performance Sailing Center.”

Federico Michetti, Head of Sport Activities at Nautor Swan, says: “In the United States, I have many sailing friends, and I’ve had the privilege of participating in the most iconic events. It’s a long history that has contributed significantly to the growth of techniques and sailors’ skills. Terry and his team are great champions and I can confidently say that this project has been in the works for a long time, and I’m sure it will bring new energy to the world of sailing.”

In addition to the ClubSwan 28 project, the joint venture will work to promote the sales and servicing of Nautor Swan in the US. Furthermore, the venture will explore other activities, including building Nautor Swan and Bluegame boats at the American Magic facility. This collaboration will elevate the US sailing scene by introducing world-class boats and regattas while cementing both companies’ leadership in marine innovation, competitive performance, and industry growth.

Details: https://www.americascup.com/

Defender New Zealand will work with the Challenger of Record from Great Britain to organize the 38th America’s Cup. Anticipated to be held in 2027, the two teams have agreed on some details with the venue to be confirmed by June 2025 after Barcelona declined hosting another edition.