America One Racing Closes 2025 with High-Impact End-of-Year Training Block in Pensacola
America One Racing (A1R) closed out the 2025 season with an intensive and highly integrated series of training activities in Pensacola, Florida, which brought together athletes, coaches, partners, and performance experts across the Foiling Pipeline and Project Podium programs.
From November 16–25, A1R hosted its Annual Foiling Pipeline Camp at Pensacola Yacht Club, whose continued generosity, flexibility, and commitment to high-performance sailing have made Pensacola a true home for A1R programs. The club’s support both on and off the water remains fundamental to A1R’s ability to deliver world-class training environments and aid long-term athlete development.
The Foiling Pipeline Camp featured athletes from the Formula Wingfoil and WASZP classes and was supported by American Magic and Quantum Racing, providing athletes and coaches direct access to experts in technology, design, and performance systems. During the camp, A1R continued developing and refining tools designed to accelerate athlete development. A defining strength of the A1R model is that these tools are intentionally transferable—allowing proven practices from the Foiling Pipeline to be shared across the organization and directly applied by Project Podium coaches and athletes. This structure reflects A1R’s commitment to operational efficiency, shared learning, and the continuous exchange of best practices.
“American Magic’s vision in Pensacola has always been about more than a facility—it’s about creating an ecosystem where sailors, coaches, and performance experts can work together every day at the highest level,” said Terry Hutchinson, President of Sailing Operations at American Magic. “Seeing America One Racing fully integrated into that environment, using the space to develop olympic athletes and coaches across multiple pathways, is exactly what we hoped this base would enable.”
A key milestone during the November training block was the first official training camp with A1R’s new Switch fleet. The Switch platform is emerging as a powerful unifying tool; bringing together professional sailors, Olympic campaigners, WASZP sailors, Formula Wingfoil athletes, and collegiate talent on a single, highly relevant development pathway. The platform has also proven especially effective in attracting top female talent, with more than 50% of camp attendees being women. The result was a collaborative, high-energy environment where athletes from different backgrounds trained together, challenged each other, and collectively raised the performance standard.
“The environment A1R is creating is incredibly motivating,” said Pearl Lattanzi, reigning WASZP World Champion. “Training alongside athletes from different disciplines, with access to this level of coaching and expertise, has been an amazing experience. As I look ahead to the Worlds in March, I’m excited about continuing to develop within the WASZP while also exploring a transition into Formula Wingfoil, the Switch, or both. Being part of a program that supports that kind of growth is really special.”
“What stood out during these camps was how naturally athletes from different classes and backgrounds came together,” said Charlie McKee, Head Coach of America One Racing. “The Switch platform, combined with our foiling and wingfoil programs, creates a common language for learning. That shared environment accelerates development, strengthens our coaching culture, and raises performance expectations across the entire team.”
These on-water activities were followed by the Second Annual A1R Project Podium Sport Science Camp, held December 1–7, marking another significant step forward in A1R’s integrated performance approach. Athletes and staff gained access to the new American Magic facility, transforming a long-held vision into reality and establishing a true operational base where A1R can support athletes and coaches at the highest level.
Key areas of focus during the Sport Science Camp included mental fitness, nutrition, training planning, and long-term periodization, reinforcing the importance of sustainable performance and athlete well-being alongside competitive excellence. The camp further strengthened alignment between coaches, sport science staff, and athletes as they transition into the next phase of their campaigns.
“Being together all day—on the water, in briefings, and in conversations with experts—creates a completely different level of learning,” said Noah Lyons, 2024 Olympian and Project Podium athlete. “You build real bonds with your teammates, and you’re able to dive into every aspect of your campaign, from performance to mindset to planning. That kind of environment is hard to find, and it’s a huge advantage as we push toward LA2028”
In parallel, and in collaboration with Pensacola Yacht Club, A1R hosted a coaches training course in trauma response, raising the bar on coaching certification and on-water safety standards. As foiling continues to expand across disciplines and classes, this initiative represents a critical milestone in ensuring that A1R remains at the forefront of coaching development, athlete safety, and professional best practices.
Reflecting on the conclusion of A1R’s first year, the organization emphasized the collective effort behind the program’s rapid progress.
“This first year exceeded our expectations, and it would not have been possible without the belief and support of our donors and partners,” said Bill Ruh, Chair of the America One Racing Board. “We are deeply grateful to the Sailing Foundation of New York, the Schoonmaker Foundation, American Magic, and the St. Francis Sailing Foundation, along with many individual donors who believed in this vision from day one. Their support has put America One Racing firmly on track and positioned us for an even stronger future.”
About America One Racing: America One Racing (A1R) is dedicated to developing high-potential sailors and preparing them for success on the world stage. A1R provides athletes with elite coaching, performance planning, and cutting-edge resources to compete in top international events, including the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and Youth World Championships. A1R’s commitment to youth development takes place through its Foiling Platform and squad training.
This mission is made possible through the generous support of key partners—including the Sailing Foundation of New York, the Schoonmaker Foundation, the St. Francis Sailing Foundation and American Magic/Quantum Racing—whose shared commitment to excellence is helping elevate American sailing on the global stage.
Building on America One’s 25-year legacy of advancing sailing in the U.S., A1R continues to shape the future of the sport, ensuring American sailors have the tools to reach the podium. For more information, visit www.americaoneracing.us.