American Magic Youth Team Secures Spot in UniCredit Youth America's Cup Match Race Final
by NYYC American Magic 24 Sep 19:33 UTC
September 24, 2024
NYYC American Magic Youth Team - AC40 - UniCredit Youth America's Cup Semi Final - September 24, 2024 © David Maynard /
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On a day filled with pressure and high-stakes racing, the NYYC American Magic Youth Team rose to the occasion and secured a spot in the UniCredit Youth America's Cup Match Race Final.
With four fleet races scheduled for today's Semi-Final series, the young American sailors proved their resilience in a highly competitive field, qualifying for tomorrow's single-race final, where the title will be decided.
The day began under sunny skies and a light 6-8 knot southerly breeze as the top three teams from Group A and Group B came together for the first time. The format of the day was simple: four fleet races to determine the top two teams that would advance to Thursday's match race showdown. American Magic, led by helm Harry Melges, co-helm Kyle Navin, and trimmers Severin Gramm and Finn Rowe, came into the day with everything to play for.
The opening race of the Semi-Finals saw the Americans finish fifth, behind Sweden, Italy, and Great Britain. It wasn't the start they wanted, but the team remained composed. They quickly rebounded in Race 2, showcasing their tactical awareness and boat-handling skills. The American crew found their rhythm in a close battle with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA) and Athena Pathway (GBR). They gained control in the final legs of the race, fending off the Italians and Brits to take a critical victory, putting them back in contention for a spot in the finals.
Race 3 presented its challenges, as American Magic dropped off the foils at a key moment, finishing third behind the Italians and British. Despite the misstep, they were still fighting for one of the two coveted spots in the final.
Going into the fourth and final race of the day, American Magic was tied with GBR on points, with Italy holding a slim lead at the top of the standings. The final race was tense, with every team pushing hard to secure a top-two finish. American Magic started well and stayed in the mix, trading places with the British and Italians in a tight contest.
Although Australia sailed a near-flawless race to take the win, American Magic kept their focus. A calculated battle against Athena Pathway, with both teams pushing each other to the limit, saw the Americans cross the finish line in fourth place — enough to secure their position in the Match Race Final. Italy finished second, while Spain took third, but all eyes were on the Americans and British. Ultimately, the fourth-place finish allowed NYYC American Magic to edge out the Brits by just two points, ending GBR's hopes of advancing and punching the U.S. ticket to the final.
The NYYC American Magic Youth Team has performed consistently throughout this competition, and today's qualification for the match race final is a testament to their skill and perseverance. After the day's racing, co-helm Kyle Navin said, "We were super stoked on board. The guys sailed well today, and we just stayed focused and kept it all together. Out on the racecourse, we had a couple of hard moments but recovered quickly and made it to the final. We're ready for the final, and we'll go home and do our homework over the next couple of days and be ready to roll on Thursday.
The UniCredit Youth America's Cup Match Race Final will take place on Thursday, September 26, in the break between the first two Louis Vuitton Cup Final races. A single race will determine the new champions, and it promises to be a thrilling conclusion to an exciting regatta.