NZL 32
Encyclopedia
NZL-32 or Black Magic, is an International Americas Cup Class
yacht that won the 1995 America's Cup
. She beat the American defender Young America in a 5-0 victory off San Diego, California.
Instead of being the brainchild of one man (in the case of NZL-20, Bruce Farr) she was designed by a team of Tom Schnackenberg, Doug Peterson
, Laurie Davidson
, David Egan, Peter Jackson, Maury Leyland, David Alan-Williams, Anthony Lehmann, Richard Karn, Wayne Smith, Mike Drumond, Chris Mitchell and Neil Wilkinson. The idea was to produce a yacht which suited the crew, catering to their specific wants and needs. NZL-32 was built of carbon fibre
by the McMullen & Wing yard, Auckland, in 1993.
in San Diego winning all but one race. However, Team New Zealand
believed NZL-32 to be faster than NZL-38 and so retired her early, before the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals. NZL-38 became a trial horse for Team New Zealand's 2000 defence of the America's Cup in Auckland, and was purchased for the 2003 Cup by the Swedish Victory Challenge. She was eventually renamed Cristina.
. With that knowledge, Stars and Stripes skipper Dennis Conner
swapped boats for the Cup matches, taking the helm of Young America. While Young America didn't win the Defender's Series, she was widely believed to be faster than Stars and Stripes.
Young America was however no match for NZL-32. In what became known as a "blackwash", Black Magic trounced Young America 5-0 in the Cup match, and thus remains unbeaten in an America's Cup
race. The winning margins were embarrassingly easy and confirmed Team New Zealand's position at the top of world yachting.
and China Team
.
In July 2002, she was gifted to the Museum of New Zealand
, however there was much debate over how she should be displayed to the nation. The initial proposal was for a 'glass case' with the yacht placed inside - a giant "ship in a bottle" - however this was likened to a "glass coffin" by many and as such was abandoned.
Eventually, following the murder of Team New Zealand's inspirational leader Sir Peter Blake, it was decided NZL-32 would form the centrepiece of a tribute to him. This was constructed at the National Maritime Museum in Auckland (now called Voyager New Zealand) and was named 'Blue Water Black Magic' - an interactive exhibit and tribute to Sir Peter. NZL-32 is suspended from the ceiling and can be viewed from all angles, with much of Sir Peter's yachting memorabilia exhibited around it.
International Americas Cup Class
The International Americas Cup Class is a class of sailing vessels that was developed for the America's Cup competition. These yachts, while not identical, are all designed to a particular formula, so as to make the boats involved in a competition roughly comparable, while still giving individuals...
yacht that won the 1995 America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
. She beat the American defender Young America in a 5-0 victory off San Diego, California.
History
NZL-32 was, in many ways, the complete opposite of her predecessor NZL-20 which contested the 1992 edition of the Louis Vuitton Cup.Instead of being the brainchild of one man (in the case of NZL-20, Bruce Farr) she was designed by a team of Tom Schnackenberg, Doug Peterson
Doug Peterson
Douglas Blair Peterson is an American yacht designer. Beginning with the One Tonner Ganbare in 1973, Peterson's designs have pioneered many innovations in racing and cruising yachts....
, Laurie Davidson
Laurie Davidson
Laurie Davidson of New Zealand is an internationally renowned sailing yacht designer. He is most notable for his International America's Cup Class sailboats which successfully challenged and defended the America's Cup sailing trophy...
, David Egan, Peter Jackson, Maury Leyland, David Alan-Williams, Anthony Lehmann, Richard Karn, Wayne Smith, Mike Drumond, Chris Mitchell and Neil Wilkinson. The idea was to produce a yacht which suited the crew, catering to their specific wants and needs. NZL-32 was built of carbon fibre
Carbon fiber
Carbon fiber, alternatively graphite fiber, carbon graphite or CF, is a material consisting of fibers about 5–10 μm in diameter and composed mostly of carbon atoms. The carbon atoms are bonded together in crystals that are more or less aligned parallel to the long axis of the fiber...
by the McMullen & Wing yard, Auckland, in 1993.
Sister ship
Her sister yacht, NZL-38 Black Magic II, was used in the initial stages of the Louis Vuitton CupLouis Vuitton Cup
The Louis Vuitton Cup is a yachting competition connected with the America's Cup. The Louis Vuitton Cup was used as the selection series to select the team to sail as the challenger in the America's Cup...
in San Diego winning all but one race. However, Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand
Team New Zealand is a sailing team based in Auckland, New Zealand representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.Team New Zealand has become a household name in their home country following their consecutive wins in the America's Cup in 1995 and 2000...
believed NZL-32 to be faster than NZL-38 and so retired her early, before the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals. NZL-38 became a trial horse for Team New Zealand's 2000 defence of the America's Cup in Auckland, and was purchased for the 2003 Cup by the Swedish Victory Challenge. She was eventually renamed Cristina.
Louis Vuitton Cup finals
With NZL-38 now retired, NZL-32 was brought out for the final stages of the Louis Vuitton Cup. She proved to be faster than NZL-38, winning 9 of 11 races in the semi-finals and 5 out of 6 in the finals against oneAustralia. As the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup, she now had the right to challenge for the America's Cup itself.America's Cup 1995
By this stage, it was clear NZL-32 was far superior to any of her rivals, including the winner of the defender series Stars & StripesStars & Stripes (yacht)
Stars & Stripes is the name of a series of racing yachts operated by Dennis Conner to compete in the America's Cup. The name "Stars & Stripes" refers to the nickname often used for the flag of the United States.- 12-metre class yachts :1987 America's Cup...
. With that knowledge, Stars and Stripes skipper Dennis Conner
Dennis Conner
Dennis Conner is an American yachtsman, noted for winning the bronze medal at the 1976 Olympics, two Star World Championships, and four wins in the America's Cup.-America's Cup:...
swapped boats for the Cup matches, taking the helm of Young America. While Young America didn't win the Defender's Series, she was widely believed to be faster than Stars and Stripes.
Young America was however no match for NZL-32. In what became known as a "blackwash", Black Magic trounced Young America 5-0 in the Cup match, and thus remains unbeaten in an America's Cup
America's Cup
The America’s Cup is a trophy awarded to the winner of the America's Cup match races between two yachts. One yacht, known as the defender, represents the yacht club that currently holds the America's Cup and the second yacht, known as the challenger, represents the yacht club that is challenging...
race. The winning margins were embarrassingly easy and confirmed Team New Zealand's position at the top of world yachting.
After the America's Cup
NZL-32 was used as a trial boat for the 2003 challenge of Le DéfiLE DEFI
Le Défi was a French America's Cup team that competed in the 1992, 1995, 2000 and 2003 Louis Vuitton Cups and in the first few Acts of the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup. After 2005 Le Défi supported China Team.-History:...
and China Team
China Team
China Team is a yacht racing team formed in 2005. China Team first appeared in competition in the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007, the challenger series held prior to the America's Cup...
.
In July 2002, she was gifted to the Museum of New Zealand
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is the national museum and art gallery of New Zealand, located in Wellington. It is branded and commonly known as Te Papa and Our Place; "Te Papa Tongarewa" is broadly translatable as "the place of treasures of this land".The museum's principles...
, however there was much debate over how she should be displayed to the nation. The initial proposal was for a 'glass case' with the yacht placed inside - a giant "ship in a bottle" - however this was likened to a "glass coffin" by many and as such was abandoned.
Eventually, following the murder of Team New Zealand's inspirational leader Sir Peter Blake, it was decided NZL-32 would form the centrepiece of a tribute to him. This was constructed at the National Maritime Museum in Auckland (now called Voyager New Zealand) and was named 'Blue Water Black Magic' - an interactive exhibit and tribute to Sir Peter. NZL-32 is suspended from the ceiling and can be viewed from all angles, with much of Sir Peter's yachting memorabilia exhibited around it.
Specifications
- Rating: IACC rule.
- LOA: 24.24 m
- LWL: 18.04 m
- Beam: 4.05 m
- Draft: 4 m
- Sail Area (upwind): 330 m2.
- Displacement: 24.70 tons.