NYYC American Magic Youth Team Advances to Final Series at Youth America’s Cup
by NYYC American Magic 23 Sep 13:03 PDT
September 23, 2024
The NYYC American Magic Youth Team and the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth Team from Switzerland compete on Day 6 – Group A – UniCredit Youth America’s Cup – September 23, 2024 – Barcelona © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com
The NYYC American Magic Youth Team has officially clinched a spot in the six-team Final Series of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. With steady focus and consistent performance on the water, they showcased the necessary skill on the final day of qualifiers, earning their place among the top six.
The team, composed of Harry Melges (helm starboard), Kyle Navin (helm port), Severin Gramm (trimmer starboard), and Finn Rowe (trimmer port), experienced a rollercoaster week. Despite facing early setbacks due to technical difficulties that affected their performances in races three and four, they remained calm and resilient, bouncing back to finish the qualifiers strongly.
Race 8 was crucial for the team’s progression, providing the opportunity for American Magic to prove themselves. They had an excellent start, quickly found their pace, and took the lead in the first leg. Throughout the race, they maintained their focus, successfully fending off a strong challenge from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and withstanding last-minute pressure from Athena Pathway.
The American Magic team adeptly handled the wind shifts, crossing the finish line first to secure their position in the Final Series. After the race, Melges commented, “Everything resets tomorrow in the semifinals; it’s a new day. Our goal is to finish in the top two and reach the finals. We’ll review today’s races and work on the details; it looks like the conditions will be similar to today, so we might practice in the simulator to warm up before racing.”
The team is now focusing on tomorrow’s Final Series, where they will compete against a strong fleet, including Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (ITA), Athena Pathway (GBR), Artemis (SWE), Sail Team BCN (ESP), and Andoo Team Australia (AUS). The competition is expected to be intense, with four races determining which two teams will advance to the Match Race Final on September 26.
For complete results and standings, visit www.americascup.com/results
