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After their first America’s Cup challenge in 2021, the NYYC American Magic team made some changes in their pursuit of the trophy. Prominent in that change was bringing Scott Ferguson (Jamestown, RI) to lead the design team. Scuttlebutt editor Craig Leweck checks in with Ferguson for an update:
You became the Design Coordinator about five months after the 36th America’s Cup. How blank was the sheet of paper?
Terry Hutchinson contacted me early as the team principals weighed their options for the 37th America’s Cup. He commissioned some short-term work to begin improving our simulator. Other than that, the page was blank. Collectively we created the team from there intending to build an American high-performance design and technical team. Many team members and designers rejoined along with some new highly motivated talent.
What was the assessment of the NYYC American Magic race boat in the 36th America’s Cup?
Patriot has many good features but suffered from significant hull drag in light air takeoff as a primary issue. The foils were a good low-area solution for Auckland 2021, while systems and sailability is an ongoing challenge that will continue into the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, 2024.
What can you share about the construction and launch of the new boat?
We have a similar schedule to the previous event in Auckland for the lead-up to the next edition. The new boat will arrive in Barcelona about 4-6 months before the October 2024 competition. The boat will be built in Rhode Island, and I’m sure something will be announced in the coming months.
Any plans for a testing boat (aka LEQ12 boat)?
We will be using AC40s to test some of our components and systems
The team aims to represent America with Americans and to strengthen the future of the sport in the country. How is that being done within the technical team?
We’re proud to represent America, and the design and technical team have many experienced Americans in leading roles. We also have our share of Internationals in key positions which is inevitable to be competitive in the America’s Cup.
We have actively sought design talent within our US borders and paired up many good young American engineers and designers with more experienced counterparts in their area so they can learn from their ideas and methods.
We aim to provide the best opportunities for US talent by encouraging active mentoring and a transparent environment specifically for the long-term technical future.
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