The unveiling of American Magic’s latest vessel, Patriot

New York Yacht Club American Magic had an eventful day as they unveiled their new AC75 boat, named ‘Patriot’, in Barcelona. The Vice-Commodore of the club, Clare Harrington, christened the boat with a champagne bottle, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the team’s history.

The boat, packed with design features and quirks, showcased recumbent cyclors facing aft, a unique deck layout, and sculpted foils with intricate details. The team conducted a 7.5 nautical mile tow test, testing the sails and systems of the boat, before setting sail for a light air sail.

Despite a minor jib system issue during the first sail, the team quickly resolved it and continued their journey. Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations, expressed his delight with Patriot’s maiden sail, highlighting the team’s meticulous execution and attention to detail.

Looking ahead, the team plans to continue sea-trialling and working on the boat’s systems before transitioning to race preparation. Hutchinson praised the team’s recent AC40 two-boat training, emphasizing the importance of development and performance extraction.

Overall, it was a great first day for New York Yacht Club American Magic, with a sense of confidence and excellence permeating every aspect of the campaign. The upcoming weeks will be crucial in defining the team’s success in their quest to bring the America’s Cup trophy back to West 44th Street in Manhattan.