American Magic, the United States challenger for the 36th and 37th America’s Cup, and Nautor Swan, a global leader in yacht design and manufacturing, announced on Sunday, Jan. 19, their intention to form a strategic partnership aimed at revitalizing sailing in America and fostering growth in the marine industry. The collaboration will initially focus on developing the ClubSwan 28 regatta series, establishing a new competitive platform for sailors and yacht owners in the United States.
Why this matters: The partnership brings together American Magic’s cutting-edge engineering and boat-building expertise with Nautor Swan’s renowned yacht design and manufacturing capabilities. This powerful combination aims to create unprecedented opportunities for yacht owners and competitive sailors while driving innovation and growth within the US sailing and marine industry.
Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations at American Magic, emphasized the significance of this venture: “This joint venture marks a significant step in American Magic’s mission to lead sailing in the United States into a new era of innovation and competition. By combining Nautor Swan’s iconic yacht design with our advanced engineering and boat-building capabilities, we are poised to transform the competitive sailing landscape in America, providing a high-performance platform racing and operations platform for sailors, boat owners, and the broader marine industry.”
Pensacola Connection: The partnership’s initial focus will be the ClubSwan 28 project, encompassing both the creation of a new regatta series and the development of a dedicated fleet. These vessels are scheduled to make their debut in a series of regattas planned for late 2025, with events to be held in Pensacola and along the East Coast. The immediate objective is to establish a competitive platform that expands Nautor Swan’s presence in the US market while supporting American Magic’s broader mission of growing the sport and marine industry in the region.
The scope of this strategic partnership extends beyond the ClubSwan 28 project. The joint venture will actively promote the sales and servicing of Nautor Swan vessels in the United States. Future plans include exploring the possibility of manufacturing Nautor Swan and Bluegame boats at American Magic’s facility.
This comprehensive collaboration promises to elevate the US sailing landscape by introducing world-class boats and regattas while reinforcing both companies’ positions as leaders in marine innovation, competitive performance, and industry growth.