Pensacola-based sailing team shifts focus to long-term development as it steps away from yachting’s premier event.
American Magic, the New York Yacht Club’s representative in sailing’s most prestigious competition, announced yesterday it will not take part in the 38th America’s Cup, citing fundamental disagreements with the event’s current structure and financial framework.
Team Principal Doug DeVos said the decision came after thorough discussions with the Defender, the Challenger of Record, and competing teams, which revealed a misalignment between the event’s protocol and American Magic’s operational requirements.
- “The present structure does not provide the framework for American Magic to operate a highly competitive and financially sustainable campaign,” DeVos explained in a statement released from the team’s Pensacola headquarters.
Background: In May, we broke the story that American Magic and other challengers were withdrawing from the 38th America’s Cup. At the time, American Magic stated in a press release: “The Defender has been unwilling to commit to the transparency and cooperation necessary to secure a fair Protocol. Without the structural framework necessary for challengers to pursue viable campaigns, it will remain extremely difficult to unlock the America’s Cup’s potential as a modern, globally relevant sports property.” Pensacola Mayor D.C. Reeves hoped a settlement could be reached for American Magic to compete.
- Dig Deeper: The current Defender of the America’s Cup is Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. As the Defender, Emirates Team New Zealand holds the Cup and is responsible for organizing and setting the terms for the 38th America’s Cup. The Challenger of Record for the next edition is Athena Racing, representing the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd from Great Britain.
Operational Shift
The withdrawal marks a significant shift for the organization, which has competed in the last two America’s Cup cycles since its founding in 2017. However, team leadership emphasized that stepping away from one event doesn’t signal retreat from competitive sailing.
- CEO Mike Cazer outlined an ambitious alternative path focused on athlete development, technological innovation, and international racing programs. The team will maintain its Pensacola-based high-performance center while expanding support for U.S. Olympic sailors across multiple disciplines.
“Our focus now shifts to the future,” Cazer said. “That means athlete and technology development, international competition, and continuing to drive advanced manufacturing and design innovation.”
The decision underscores growing tensions within America’s Cup sailing over costs and competitive balance. American Magic’s withdrawal raises questions about whether other challenger teams share similar concerns about the event’s current structure.
Terry Hutchinson, president of Sailing Operations, thanked the team’s supporters while emphasizing continuity. “We could never have accomplished what we have without you,” he said.
Pensacola HQ
In September, American Magic’s Chief Operations Officer, Tyson Lamond, provided a behind-the-scenes tour for the local media of the team’s nearly completed 63,000-square-foot headquarters at the Port of Pensacola yesterday, revealing that the operations have expanded beyond being simply a training facility for the next America’s Cup.
American Magic will begin moving into Warehouse 10 next week, but already has 44 employees onsite working on composite manufacturing in Warehouse 9.
- When we started off this organization, everything was about the America’s Cup, but we want to make sure at the same time that we’re growing out the manufacturing arm of the team,” Lamond explained during the media tour.
For the first time, American Magic will have all its operations under one roof. The new facility features cutting-edge technology, including advanced CNC machines, a clean room for composite manufacturing, and a high-tech simulator for testing million-dollar racing foils prior to production.
Next year is America’S 250TH ANNIVERSARY!
This is tragic timing!
As America’s first settlement(Pensacola) we should be at the forefront in our celebration which should include Amrica’s Magic in the America’s Cup race!