August 14, 2024

Here’s what you need to know about the America’s Cup, the racing boats and more.

As part of American Magic’s preparations for the 37th America’s Cup, the official competitive sailing squad of the New York Yacht Club has firmed up its stellar roster of sailors, unveiled slick new monohull boats — the AC75 Patriot and the AC40 America — and competed in preliminary sailing competitions. These are just a few benchmarks American Magic achieved leading up to the start of the America’s Cup in August 2024 in Barcelona, Spain.

But it was late 2022 when American Magic tallied an early and important milestone — naming Garmin its official team supplier of marine electronics. With the collaboration, Garmin outfits American Magic with sailing technology, including live sonar, chartplotters and mapping as well as smartwatches and more.

What Is the America’s Cup?

The America’s Cup was established in 1851 and is the oldest international competition in any sport. Occurring every three to four years, the prestigious sailing event pits two racing yachts against each other in a race, or regatta, with one team known as the defender — who holds the Cup — and the other as the challenger who seeks to win it.

Over the years, the America’s Cup has evolved into a high-stakes, high-tech contest that attracts the best sailors and the most advanced sailing technology in the world.

How Does America’s Cup Work?

The America’s Cup competition brings together sailing teams from around the globe and follows a series of races where two sailing yachts compete head-to-head. The races are typically held in a best-of-series format, meaning the first team to win a predetermined number of races wins the Cup.

The current format includes a series of preliminary races known as the Challenger Selection Series, where multiple teams compete to become the official challenger to face the defender. The final match is a high-intensity showdown of 13 races between the challenger and defender to determine the winner.

How Fast Are the America’s Cup Boats?

In recent editions, the America’s Cup has featured cutting-edge foiling monohulls, specifically the AC75 class. This year will be no different. These 75-foot boats are designed to lift out of the water on hydrofoils, dramatically reducing drag and allowing for incredible speeds exceeding 50 knots — approximately 58 mph or 93 km/h). So, yeah. These boats are fast.

American Magic and Garmin

Before the team takes to the waters for the America’s Cup, American Magic Skipper and President of Sailing Operations Terry Hutchinson, a 17-time world champion in a variety of sailing competitions, answered a few questions about competitive sailing, the role that Garmin marine electronics play for American Magic and more.

Garmin: Why is the America’s Cup so important for the sport of sailing?

TH: The America’s Cup represents the pinnacle of the sport. It encompasses all areas of development through design, systems and sailors. It takes the complete team to be successful.

Garmin: How would you describe the America’s Cup to someone new to sailing?

TH: Climbing Mount Everest. It is the most difficult as a challenger as the defender writes all of the rules. So, to win, you have to beat them at the game they prescribed.

Garmin: In your perspective, what makes this America’s Cup different than previous ones?

TH: This 37th America’s Cup, like all America’s Cups, will be won by the fastest boat. The elevation of the cyclor athlete and the mechatronic/system development inside the race yacht make AC37 unique.

Garmin: What is it like to be a competitor in this race?

TH: Having raced in the match of the 32nd America’s Cup, it is really nothing out of the ordinary. As a team, you prepare for this event, so the racing is nothing out of the ordinary. 

Garmin: What are the makings of a winning crew?

TH: A fast boat that is well-sailed. There is no secret sauce to success in the America’s Cup. But it does take the entire team to win — design, manufacturing and sailing.

Garmin: What role has Garmin played in helping you and your team get ready for the regattas, and how will they be used during racing?

TH: Garmin instrumentation and technology are instrumental to American Magic. The quality and accuracy of the instruments allow for precision. When we are trying to win a game of inches in the hardest race, Garmin provides exactly what American Magic needs!

Garmin has outfitted American Magic’s yacht with premier marine electronics since 2022. Click here to learn more about American Magic and to follow the team’s cup journey.