With NYYC American topping the final series standings after a simply stunning day at Vilanova i La Geltrú where they took their chances, front-ran like demons and sailed incredibly smoothly, it was all-on for the Match Race Grand Final against Emirates Team New Zealand. The Kiwis had been the team to beat all regatta. Their speed and execution of manoeuvres were widely viewed as the blueprint for AC40 sailing, and in foiling conditions, these two outstanding syndicates of the 37th America’s Cup would have been hard to split.

Unfortunately, with the seconds ticking down on the start, the wind shut down, and the first Emirates Team New Zealand splashed down to displacement, quickly followed by NYYC American Magic. Indeed, the Kiwis struggled even to start correctly, copping a number of penalties, but as both boats headed upwind, the battle was against the clock.

With a ten-minute time limit to reach the first gate and with the crews desperately trying every trick to try and coax their boat up on the foils, speeds dropped to around 5-7 knots, and the flow wouldn’t stick.

Having come into the final day of the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup in Vilanova i La Geltrú sitting in fifth place, it was an outside bet at best that NYYC American Magic could climb the leaderboard and challenge for a spot in the Match Race Grand Final

The only option for the Race Committee was to abandon the Match Race Grand Final and thereby award the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America’s Cup to New York Yacht Club American Magic.

The New York Yacht Club is back in the next America’s Cup, as its trustees this week approved a challenge for the 37th edition of sailing’s most prestigious trophy.

“We are extremely excited to continue our quest to regain the America’s Cup with American Magic,” says NYYC Commodore Paul M Zabetakis, MD.

“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.”

The New York Yacht Club created the America’s Cup and successfully defended it 25 times before losing the Auld Mug to Australia II and the Royal Perth Yacht Club in 1983.

In the years since, the NYYC 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 last January.

Discussions regarding the club’s next challenge started shortly after Emirates Team New Zealand successfully defended the Cup last March, and a challenge was submitted in May before announcing 2020 Bermuda Cup winners Stars+Stripes as its representative team.

However, due to what it cited as “a lack of clarity” regarding the rules, timing and venue for the next match, the club decided in October to withdraw its challenge.

But the club now says that “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.

NYYC Commodore Paul M Zabetakis, MD | Credit: Dan Nerney

“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,” Zabetakis says.

“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 commodore says.

“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.

“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 await the announcement within the next few months of the venue and schedule for the 37th America’s Cup. As previously reported on Afloat.ie, Cork is still in the race for hosting rights as a technical team visited recently to assess the city’s infrastructure.