As the American Magic team prepares to take part in the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, one very important piece was missing, its yacht. Antonov Airlines was called into action to transport the AC75 and accompanying cargo from Providence, Rhode Island, USA to Barcelona, Spain.

Antonov`s AN-124-100, the largest cargo aircraft, was chartered with the logistics partners GAC Pindar and Solent Freight Services to deliver the AC75 racing yacht, 22 meters long, 5 meters wide and 3.5 meters high. To be loaded on board, the yacht was previously placed on a special cradle, which was moved into the cargo cabin using the on-board winch.

“We are happy to be a partner in the logistics of the American Magic team again,” said Maksym Bogatov, Commercial Executive, Antonov Airlines, “We hope this year the American Magic team won the desired victory at the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match.”

The AC75 is a modified version of the monohull yacht built for the 36th America’s Cup, which Antonov Airlines transported from the USA to New Zealand in 2020.

The New York Yacht Club, one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, held the trophy for 132 years before losing it to Australia in 1983. Since then, only teams from the USA, Switzerland and New Zealand have won the Cup. The current defending champion of the America’s Cup is Emirates Team New Zealand, representing the Royal New Zealand Yachting Squadron.