Fighting to the End: NYYC American Magic's Run Ends at 3-5
by New York Yacht Club American Magic 19 Sep 14:18 PDT
September 19, 2024
Luna Rossa and American Magic congratulate each other - Semi-Finals - Louis Vuitton Cup - Day 14 - September 19, 2024 - Barcelona © Ian Roman / America's Cup
NYYC American Magic's America's Cup campaign came to a close, showcasing their relentless determination and resilience. After years of tireless preparation and countless hours on the water, the team faced every challenge with heart and soul. The team's will to win was evident from the initial race to the final moments as they battled fiercely, never backing down from the fight.
NYYC American Magic sailed their final race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Finals today after losing out to the Italian team Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, 3-5, in the first-to-five points series.
Under leaden skies and flat water conditions, the race began with NYYC American Magic's Patriot entering the start box on time from the left, crossing ahead of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli. After a drag race to the right boundary, both boats turned back to the line, engaging in a tactical battle for position. The Americans crossed first, forcing the Italians to tack away, but Luna Rossa regained momentum with a surge to leeward as American Magic tacked away.
At the first windward gate, Luna Rossa led by 20 seconds, but Patriot closed the gap to just eight seconds after a well-timed windshift. Despite mounting pressure, a brief touchdown downwind allowed Luna Rossa to extend their lead to 21 seconds at the second leeward gate. In the final leg, no opportunities to recover materialized, and Luna Rossa crossed the finish 61 seconds ahead, ending American Magic's semi-final campaign.
Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations for American Magic, reflected on the team's performance after the race, expressing both pride and disappointment. "We were always one of those teams that was going to get better with more and more racing. We faced some setbacks, like Goody going down, but I'm so hugely impressed with Lucas and how well he stepped into it. I'm also so proud of our team for how everybody evolved. It was so cool just to watch Tommy and Lucas's relationship evolve in a very short period of time to a point where they were going toe-to-toe with the past winners of the Prada Cup and the last challenger in the America's Cup. We were there, knocking on the door, basically every single race. So the disappointment is that you can see all the promise and where we were heading."
Hutchinson continued, highlighting the team's strong spirit and the emotional toll of the competition. "Through the better part of six years, we've had a great team spirit, starting with Hap and Doug and filtering down through the team members. We're incredibly fortunate to have that kind of support. The fact that we never quit, that we always fight and keep pushing forward to get better each day—that team spirit is a hard thing to capture. The worst part of all of this is going ashore and facing the families and all the people who support us and live the America's Cup day in and day out, even though they're not on the water with us. That's the hardest part. That's where the true disappointment comes from."
Though the result wasn't what the team had fought for, the campaign will be remembered for the incredible resilience and heart NYYC American Magic brought to every race. Their unwavering determination, relentless fight in every tack, and unyielding spirit have left an indelible mark on American Magic's journey.