In September 2019, American Magic’s DEFIANT became the first AC75 to both sail and foil on the waters of Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. Since then, the first of two AC75’s to be built for the U.S. America’s Cup Challenger has been in a “shakedown” phase, where the complex and cutting-edge systems have been tested and refined. Also part of this groundbreaking period has been the shakedown of the human element; the training of some of the world’s first AC75 sailors. American Magic’s team of grinders, trimmers, and other specialists have been recruited from the best of Olympic, foiling, and previous Cup classes, but sailing onboard DEFIANT is unlike anything else.