Framed by the vast, unspoiled expanse of its namesake bay, Pensacola is swiftly charting its course as the epicenter of high-performance sailing in the United States. At the crux of this transformation is American Magic, the U.S. challenger for the America’s Cup, who have quietly built a world-class sailing, training, and manufacturing hub that could forever alter the course of competitive sailing on this side of the Atlantic.
This isn’t simply about preparing for the next regatta. It’s about planting a flag for the future of American sailing.
“We didn’t want just a place to park the boats,” says Tyson Lamond, American Magic’s Chief
Operations Officer. “We wanted a home. A real ecosystem. Pensacola gave us that and more.”
From their sprawling waterfront facility, American Magic is not only building boats, they’re building talent, infrastructure, and community. Their holistic approach to development, both technological and human, has positioned Pensacola as a locus of innovation. And it’s only just beginning.
A New Era of Simulation-Driven Performance
One of the most transformative tools being developed in Pensacola isn’t visible from the docks, it lives in a simulator.
“The biggest development for our team, and frankly the sport itself, is simulation,” Lamond shares. “If we can create a simulator that replicates the boat experience closely enough, we dramatically increase the time our sailors can ‘train’ without ever touching the water.”
The model here is Formula One. With simulators so advanced that teenage drivers can rack up thousands of virtual hours before ever stepping into a real car, F1 teams have redefined talent development. American Magic aims to do the same. Traditionally, top sailors train 200 days a year on the water, but unpredictable conditions and logistical inefficiencies limit the quality of those days. A robust simulator changes the game.
“This is about getting more reps, more feedback, and bringing in younger, fresher talent,” he says. “When those athletes finally hit the water, they’re sprinting not walking.”
To that end, American Magic has partnered with major U.S. simulation firms and universities to push the envelope. “There’s the user interface, the part the sailor touches, and then there’s the science behind it,” Lamond explains. “Simulating wind shifts, wave patterns, and aerodynamic loads on a foil-borne boat is an entirely different beast. It’s hard. But it’s vital.”
A Pipeline for American Talent
Technology is only part of the story. American Magic’s broader goal is to regenerate the American sailing pipeline from the ground up.
Closer to home, American Magic is strengthening ties with the Pensacola Yacht Club, a venue he describes as “world-class and incredibly supportive.” Recent youth regattas like the Open Skiff event, with 75 boats on the water, have become essential parts of the team’s community-building strategy.
“The more we help create opportunities for kids in Pensacola to experience sailing, the more likely it is that the next great sailor could come from here,” Lamond says. “We’re proud to be part of that possibility.”
Infrastructure, Investment, and Local Impact
The investment in Pensacola is real and it’s mutual. American Magic has committed significant resources to establishing its base here, and the City of Pensacola has stepped up with meaningful support to help make it possible.
“There’s been major investment from both our team principals and the City,” Lamond says. “What makes Pensacola stand out is the level of partnership we’ve received from City Hall to the yacht club, local colleges, and the broader community.”
That partnership has enabled the rapid growth of an integrated operation where manufacturing, training, and research converge under one roof. With 86 shipping containers of assets on-site, dozens of skilled professionals, and a 40-person manufacturing team already at work, the team is fast becoming a major local employer.
“Our internship programs with UWF and Pensacola State College are making a real impact,” Lamond says. “One intern is now full-time with the team, and two more are mid-program. It’s about visibility, access, and creating real job pathways.”
And it’s not just students benefiting. A recent collaboration with SailGP brought 18 containers and 22 staff to Pensacola for a fast-turnaround repair operation. The team rerouted a cargo ship directly into the city’s port, a sign of just how valuable the infrastructure has become.
“Build it, and they will come,” Lamond says simply. “And they are.”
A Long-Term Vision for the Sport
American Magic’s vision for Pensacola extends well beyond the America’s Cup. It’s about building something lasting—driving innovation, supporting American sailing, and creating meaningful opportunities through long-term investment.
“This is no longer a temporary base,” Lamond says. “This is home. We’ll be designing and building boats here for years to come, America’s Cup or not.”
Plans are in motion to open the facility to other projects, including aerospace contracts and one-off racing builds.
More importantly, American Magic envisions a future where sailors, designers, engineers, and manufacturers are born, trained, and employed in Pensacola. A future where the next great American sailor doesn’t just dream from afar, they grow up just down the road.
“When young kids come here for Optimist Nationals or Open Skiff events, we want to open our doors and say: This is where you could be. This is your future, if you want it.”
Culture, Continuity, and Community
What makes this effort stand apart is the team’s dedication to long-term cultural and community integration. They’re not just headquartered here. They belong here.
The city of Pensacola, particularly under the leadership of Mayor D.C. Reeves, has embraced American Magic’s mission with energy and vision. “Mayor Reeves has been phenomenal,” Lamond says. “He sees Pensacola as a high-performance city, and we couldn’t agree more.”
American Magic’s presence has catalyzed interest in Pensacola from other racing teams and event organizers. The GL Series, for instance, initially committed to two events, but after overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants and owners, a third was added.
“The owners loved being able to walk from downtown to their boats, the venue, the hospitality, it all just clicked,” he says. “It proved what we already knew. Pensacola works.”
A Legacy in the Making
Asked what he wants American Magic’s legacy in Pensacola to be, the answer is immediate and heartfelt.
“I want the legacy of American Magic here to outlive all of us,” Lamond says. “If we can create an ecosystem of sailors, designers, manufacturers, and innovators that endures, then we’ve done our job.”
The goal is nothing less than a generational shift in American sailing, rooted in a community that believes in possibility.
“I think the coolest thing,” he says with a smile, “would be to one day see a kid who was born in Pensacola, racing in the America’s Cup on our boat.”
That day may come sooner than we think.
Follow the evolution of American Magic as this ongoing Pensacola City Lifestyle series will continue to offer an inside look at their expanding presence at the Port of Pensacola, and their growing connection to the broader community. From innovative programming to truly meaningful local engagement, continue on the journey with us as we discover how American Magic continues to shape and be shaped by the vibrant spirit of Pensacola.
“This is no longer a temporary base,” Lamond says. “This is home. We’ll be designing and building boats here for years to come, America’s Cup or not.”
“What makes Pensacola stand out is the level of partnership we’ve received from City Hall to the yacht club, local colleges, and the broader community.”