America's Cup Technology: American Magic

When it comes to global sporting events that combine history, intrigue, athleticism, talent, technology, legendary figures and powerful donors, few can compare to the America's Cup. When it comes to global sporting events that combine history, intrigue, athleticism, talent, technology, legendary figures and powerful donors, few can compare to the America's Cup. In fact, nothing can compare to the America's Cup. That's because no other team on earth can boast a winning streak like the New York Yacht Club's when they were undefeated in America's Cup matches from 1960 to 1963. From 1851 to 1983.

But none compare to the New York Yacht Club. The club has two legendary “clubhouses”: one in the heart of New York City on 44th Street, known for its model rooms and extensive nautical library, and the other at Harbor Court in Newport, Rhode Island, home to some of the most prestigious sailing events in North America, including the annual regatta, Newport Race Week presented by Rolex, the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup, and the Queen's Cup.

But as a 15-year-old sailor and New England native in 1983, I have vivid and heartbreaking memories of Dennis Connor and the New York Yacht Club losing the Cup to Australia. But don't worry, my inner kid has (somewhat) recovered as the American Magic team at the New York Yacht Club is working to bring the Cup back to where it belongs: New York City and Newport…lol.

“We are heading into AC37 with a drive and enthusiasm to be the most innovative team on and off the water,” explained American Magic president Hap Fauth when announcing the team will compete in AC37 starting in August. “We're proud of how the team bounced back in AC36, but we still have work to do and are committed to investing in technology, design, innovation and people to put us in the best position to bring home the America's Cup!”

And after getting a glimpse of all of the cutting-edge, bespoke technology the team has developed to make their hydrofoil race boats—hulls, foils, keels, sails, computer software, pedal-powered hydraulic pumps, and more—faster than their competitors, I can safely say they've invested in what Fauth first mentioned: “the technology, the design, the innovation, and the talent” needed to seriously contend for the Cup. But I can't really talk about those things, because the America's Cup is more than just a boat race; it's also an arms race in design and technology that causes the team to be so secretive.

But in talking with Terry Hutchinson, the team's skipper and president of sailing operations, I learned that the technology being developed for the team, while contributing to performance, is not as secretive as the hull, foils and sail shapes. And that's especially true when it comes to the crew's clothing and safety equipment, since four of the AC75's eight-man crew are made up of elite endurance athletes responsible for adjusting the sails and generating the hydraulic power needed to lift each keel.

This is where New York Yacht Club's partnership between American Magic and Helly Hansen comes in. Helly Hansen is a global technical apparel brand that, like American Magic, is focused on innovation and cutting-edge technology. The partnership works because American Magic's top athletes, coaches, designers, R&D, engineers and support team work closely with Helly Hansen to design and manufacture a range of gear that supports the team's performance on and off the water.

“Partnering with a brand that is focused on producing technically superior clothing was essential for the team,” said Hutchinson. “The Helly Hansen gear we wore in the last America's Cup was always going to be tested and delivered high performance technical products. With American Magic we need durable clothing that consistently performs at the highest level in the toughest conditions, on and off the water. We're excited to continue training and racing in Helly Hansen clothing as we focus on our high performance sailing program and pursue the 37th America's Cup.”

After training at the team's base in the Port of Pensacola, Florida, Helly Hansen designers and American Magic crew members exchanged feedback that resulted in an all-new gear collection. As a result of that feedback, Helly Hansen developed jackets, pants and vests for the team that are more breathable, stretchy and waterproof.

Two items that were well received by the whole team were the Foil X jacket, which combines waterproof breathability and four-way stretch, and the HP Racing Quick-Dry T-shirt, which has excellent quick-drying properties and also has SPF40 UV protection.

The only question now is whether my 15-year-old self will finally be able to celebrate the Cup returning to New York where it belongs. The only way to find out is to tune in to the 37th America's Cup, which is scheduled to take place in Barcelona from late August to late October.