New York Yacht Club's "American Magic" Off to a Great Start

“American Magic” just finished second at the 2018 Congressional Cup. The Congressional Cup is the first and longest running match racing event of its kind in North America. The following is from The Congressional Cup’s website.

“Founded by Long Beach Yacht Club in 1965, the Congressional Cup set the standard for top-level match racing worldwide, and pioneered the concept of on-the-water umpiring. Each year, the world’s top-ranked sailors return to Long Beach, Calif. to compete in this rousing five-day regatta, vying for the prestigious Congressional Cup trophy and the Crimson Blazer. What The Masters Green Jacket is to pro golfing, the Crimson Blazer is to yacht racing. Often referred to as the gateway to America’s Cup, many AC skippers have cut their teeth on the Congressional Cup: including Ted Turner, Dennis Conner, Ed Baird, Dean Barker, Taylor Canfield, James Spithill, Paul Cayard, Francesco Bruni, and the like.”

Credit: Bronny Daniels

Credit: 2018 Congressional Cup

Dean Barker is the skipper for “American Magic”. The following is his bio from The Congressional Cup.

Dean Barker, born in New Zealand, sailed from an early age, starting out in Optimist and P Class boats, before graduating to 470s and Lasers. Barker skippered the last race for Team New Zealand in 2000 when they successfully defended the Americas Cup, and was Skipper for Team New Zealand for 2003, 2007, and 2013 Americas Cups. In 2004, Barker participated in the Olympic Games, representing New Zealand in the Finn finishing 13th out of 25 competitors. In 2007, the Emirates Team New Zealand, with Barker as skipper and helmsman, was one of the challengers for the 2007 Valencia America’s Cup.

Barker started Team New Zealand’s quest to take the Cup back to New Zealand by winning the challengers’ 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup. This was the first time that the Louis Vuitton Cup had ever been won without a race loss to the opponent. This gave Emirates Team New Zealand and Barker the opportunity to race the Swiss challenger Alinghi for the 32nd America’s Cup. In 2013 Barker lead Emirates Team New Zealand to victory in the 2013 Louis Vuitton Cup and set a Louis Vuitton/America’s Cup speed record in race #7 of 47 knots (87 km/h; 54 mph).