There has been considerable movement around entries for the 37th America’s Cup in recent weeks, with two more teams confirming their participation: American Magic (New York Yacht Club) and Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Société Nautique de Genève).
Because the entry period opened only at the beginning of December, sailing enthusiasts can expect the announcement of additional challengers over the next weeks and months.
For the New York Yacht Club (NYCC), the challenge announcement is an about-face after it ‘pushed pause’ on the event late last year. Alinghi’s declaration heralds the welcome return of a veteran campaigner, this time with fresh backing in the form of Red Bull Racing.
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, in early January.
“As the longest-standing trustee of the America’s Cup and as our valued partner during the 36th America’s Cup, we are pleased to represent the NYYC once again in our quest to bring back the Cup to its original champion,” commented Doug DeVos, Principal of American Magic.
“We enjoyed a successful relationship during AC36 and coming out of that competition, we reflected, assessed options, and determined that American Magic’s vision to be an ongoing competitor in the America’s Cup would benefit from partnering with the NYYC.”
American Magic is well prepared to compete in AC37 as it builds on the foundation and experience from its AC36 campaign. The team has been busy in its preparation for AC37, assembling an elite team and committed to further developing talent across all areas of sailing and business operations.
“We intend to compete in AC37 and are hungry and highly motivated to be the most innovative team on and off the water,” remarked Hap Fauth, Principal for American Magic.
“We are proud of how our team rebounded during AC36, but we have unfinished business and are committed to investing in technology, design, innovation, and talent so we are best positioned to bring the America’s Cup home!”
“The America’s Cup remains the highest peak in sailing and one of the most difficult challenges in the world of sport,” remarked Paul M. Zabetakis, M.D., Commodore of the New York Yacht Club. “The lessons learned during our previous campaign, combined with American Magic’s physical and intellectual assets and a commitment to multiple cycles, will ensure we come into this challenge with a strong chance to claim sailing’s ultimate prize.”
The team and the Club await the announcement of the venue and race schedule for AC37, the details for the America’s Cup World Series, and the plan for the youth and women’s events. The venue announcement is expected on March 31, 2022.
Bertarelli’s back
After an absence of over a decade, Alinghi, is returning to battle for sailing’s pinnacle honour, and this time the twice consecutive-winning syndicate is partnered by a driving force in global sport, Red Bull.
Sailing under the flag of the Société Nautique de Genève, Alinghi Red Bull Racing has already begun preparations to race as an official challenger when the Selection Series for the 37th America’s Cup begins in 2024.
“While keeping the winning spirit that has always animated Alinghi, we want for this challenge to do something totally different, totally new, totally fresh,” said Alinghi founder Ernesto Bertarelli.
“When we imagined with Dietrich Mateschitz the involvement of Red Bull in the America’s Cup, he said: ‘Our way is not to get into the sport as sponsors, but to blend into the team, to form a true partnership, to nurture young athletes and turn them into the best in their field.’ He also proposed that we should make contributions to give the America’s Cup itself a new dimension.”
“We are equal partners in this venture,” says Bertarelli, “Red Bull brings its competence, energy and strength in creating performing teams; we bring our experience in sailing and winning the America’s Cup.”
Red Bull’s Hans Peter Steinacher, a two-time Olympic champion in the Tornado Class, co-founder of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup and Red Bull Foiling Generation, and Austria’s most successful summer sport athlete, is enthusiastic about the new partnership.
“Alinghi’s experience and team spirit are unique in the sport of sailing. All of Red Bull is behind this project – I doubt it could have been done with another team.”
In partnering with Alinghi, Red Bull also brings the expertise of the Red Bull Advanced Technologies unit which has supported Red Bull Racing in achieving five Formula One Drivers’ Championships.
Red Bull Racing principal Christian Horner welcomed Alinghi Red Bull Racing to the World of Red Bull: “Our F1 team is looking forward to helping this new member of our family to succeed.”
Twenty-year Alinghi veteran and four-time winner of the America’s Cup, Kiwi Brad Butterworth, commented, “Getting into this new challenge with Red Bull is very exciting. The America’s Cup is a technology race won on the water with race strategy and tactics, something Red Bull has demonstrated time and time again in F1 and in many other sports.”
In conjunction with the America’s Cup, Alinghi Red Bull Racing will also field teams in the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup Regatta, as well as the Youth America’s Cup, which returns this cycle.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing will be headquartered in Écublens, Switzerland, near Lausanne
