NYYC American Magic Youth Team Earns Place in UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Match Race Final
by NYYC American Magic 24 Sep 12:33 PDT
September 24, 2024
NYYC American Magic Youth Team – AC40 – UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Semi Final – September 24, 2024 © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com
Amid a day filled with tension and high-stakes competition, the NYYC American Magic Youth Team seized the opportunity and clinched a place in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Match Race Final.
With four fleet races set for today’s Semi-Final series, the young American sailors demonstrated their grit in a fiercely competitive environment, advancing to tomorrow’s single-race final, which will determine the champion.
The day commenced with clear skies and a gentle 6-8 knot southerly breeze, as the top three teams from Groups A and B met for the first time. Today’s format was straightforward: four fleet races to identify the top two teams qualifying for Thursday’s match race finale. American Magic, with helm Harry Melges, co-helm Kyle Navin, and trimmers Severin Gramm and Finn Rowe, arrived with everything on the line.
In the first race of the Semi-Finals, the Americans placed fifth, trailing behind Sweden, Italy, and Great Britain. It wasn’t the start they desired, but the team remained focused. They quickly bounced back in Race 2, exhibiting their tactical skills and boat-handling prowess. The American crew found their stride in a tight contest against 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 secure a crucial victory, positioning themselves back in the chase for a final spot.
Race 3 presented difficulties, as American Magic lost their foils at a critical point, finishing third behind the Italians and British. However, they were still in contention for one of the two coveted spots in the final.
Heading into the fourth and final race, American Magic was tied on points with GBR, while Italy held a slender lead overall. The climactic race was intense, with each team fiercely vying for a top-two finish. American Magic started strong and stayed competitive, continually swapping positions with the British and Italians in a tightly-fought contest.
Although Australia executed a nearly flawless race to take the win, American Magic maintained their concentration. A strategic clash with Athena Pathway, where both teams pushed their limits, resulted in the Americans crossing the finish line in fourth place—sufficient to guarantee their entry into the Match Race Final. Italy secured second place, while Spain took third, but the spotlight was on the Americans and the British. Ultimately, the fourth-place finish allowed NYYC American Magic to narrowly surpass the Brits by just two points, eliminating GBR’s chances of advancing and granting the U.S. a place in the final.
The NYYC American Magic Youth Team has shown remarkable consistency during this event, and today’s advancement to the match race final underscores their talent and determination. After the day’s racing, co-helm Kyle Navin remarked, “We were really excited on board. The guys sailed excellently today, and we stayed concentrated and kept everything together. On the racecourse, we faced some tough moments but recovered quickly and made it to the final. We’re prepared for the final, and we’ll spend the next couple of days studying and be ready to go on Thursday.”
The UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Match Race Final is scheduled for Thursday, September 26, during the break between the first two Louis Vuitton Cup Final races. A single race will crown the new champions, promising a thrilling conclusion to an exhilarating regatta.
