US confirms core team for America’s Cup

New York Yacht Club American Magic, the US sailing team challenging for the 37^th America’s Cup, has confirmed the core sailing team roster: Tom Burnham, Lucas Calabrese, Andrew Campbell, Riley Gibbs, Paul Goodison, Michael Menninger and Dan Morris.

“The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of the sport of sailing and our team is hungry,” says Tom Burnham, American Magic head coach. “The sailors are actively sailing in other events and regattas around the globe.”

The team is currently planning its sailing schedule for the 37^th America’s Cup, adds Burnham. “Per the rules of the protocol all of the teams are permitted to start sailing their AC75 this September.”

In January, American Magic agreed to represent the New York Yacht Club at AC37 in a renewed collaboration to bring the Auld Mug back to the United States. The news marked a surprising U-turn, after New York Yacht Club originally decided not to challenge in 2024. The challenge has now been formally accepted by Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

“We are excited to announce this group of talented sailors,” says Terry Hutchinson, skipper and president of sailing operations for American Magic. “Our goal is to win the America’s Cup and bring the trophy back to the United States and the New York Yacht Club. We are confident we are putting together a balanced team of experienced America’s Cup sailors with new blood to help American Magic accomplish this goal.”

NYYC American Magic at the 36th America’s Cup. Photo courtesy of Sailing Energy / American Magic

The full team roster, as confirmed by American Magic, is:

Tom Burnham (Newport, R.I.) Tom joins American Magic as Head Coach. Tom has sailed on three America’s Cup teams, Young America, and twice with the Italian Team Luna Rossa. Tom was the head coach of the Swedish America’s Cup Challenger Artemis Racing in the 35^th America’s Cup. Tom sailed with Quantum Racing’s TP52 program for eight years. Tom is also currently the coach for the Australian SailGP team. Tom is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island and won the Student Yachting World Cup. In addition to being a professional sailor and sailing coach, Tom is very passionate about the environment and practising ways to be more sustainable on and off the water.

Lucas Calabrese (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) Lucas achieved an Olympic Medal in London 2012 competing in the 470 class. Lucas has won three World Championships: Melges 20 Worlds, J70 Worlds and Optimist Worlds. Lucas was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he moved permanently to the United States seven years ago and became a US citizen. Lucas placed 2^nd at the TP52 Worlds and 2^nd at the Melges 24 Worlds.

Andrew Campbell (San Diego, Calif.) Andrew returns to American Magic in his third America’s Cup pursuit, this is his second campaign with American Magic and previously was with Oracle Team USA in the 35^th America’s Cup. Andrew is a World Champion Silver Medalist in the Star class. Andrew is a Beijing 2008 Olympian and won a Gold Medal at the 2007 Pan American Games. Andrew is a four-time Collegiate All-American, four-time National Champion and College Sailor of the Year during his time at Georgetown University. Andrew is a three-time US Youth Champion Gold Medalist, and a Youth Laser World Champion.

Riley Gibbs (Long Beach, Calif.) Riley is a versatile sailor and has an impressive resume of successes in a variety of fleets starting at a young age. Riley is on the US Sailing Team and sails with the United States SailGP Team. Riley represented Team USA at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Nacra 17 class, he also competed at the Red Bull Foiling Generation World Finals. Riley won his first regatta at the Junior Sabot Nationals at the age of fourteen and has since placed top five at three different World Champions: 29er, Formula Kite and Nacra17. Riley is the youngest skipper to win the 505 North Americans.

Paul Goodison MBE (Lake Garda, Italy) will continue with American Magic in the team’s second hunt for the America’s Cup. Paul was a sailing team member with Artemis Racing in the 35^th America’s Cup. Paul has competed in three Olympic Games winning a Gold Medal in Beijing 2008, also he placed fourth in Athens 2004 and 7^th in London 2012. Paul holds six World Championship Titles, including: Halifax Canadian Worlds in the Laser class, Melges 32 World Champion with Samba Pa Ti, Melges 20 World Champion with Samba Pa Ti, and is a three-time Moth World Champion. Paul is a five-time Laser European Champion and a Melges 32 European Champion. Paul grew up in Sheffield, Great Britain.

Michael Menninger (Newport Beach, Calif.) Michael is a former helmsman of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Michael is a Match Racing World Champion, Team Racing World Champion and Etchells World Champion. Michael has sailed with 11^th Hour Racing Team aboard the Imoca 60 for a transatlantic crossing. Michael sailed for St. Mary’s College of Maryland, he is a three-time All-American, two-time National Champion and twice College Sailor of the Year finalist. Michael is a two-time Governor’s Cup winner.

Dan Morris (Newport, R.I.) Dan returns to American Magic in his second America’s Cup quest. Dan is a Match Racing Tour World Champion, a Transpac Race Winner, and a Middle Sea Race Winner. Dan has been a part of the Red Bull Sailing Team in the Extreme Sailing Series, the United States SailGP Team and participated in the Superfoiler Grand Prix. Dan grew up living and working on boats in Minnesota.

The complete American Magic sailing team and roles on the boat will be announced at a future date. In February, Marine Industry News reported that New York Yacht Club American Magic had confirmed its leadership team for the 2024 event.