Terry Hutchinson has vowed to foster more public engagement during this next four-year cycle of the America's Cup.

While careful to guard top secret technology and other proprietary information, the American Magic skipper told an audience at Charleston Race Week the United States syndicate plans to be more welcoming to the public over the next few years.

"Everyone involved with the American Magic team has been very appreciative of the tremendous support we've received from so many, and we certainly feel a sense of responsibility to our fans," Hutchinson said.

"Moving forward, we want to find ways to interact with our supporters and give them an opportunity to learn more about the American Magic program."

Hutchinson delivered a presentation about the American Magic campaign during the opening night regatta party held on the beach at Charleston Harbor Marina & Resort. The renowned professional sailor provided updates on various aspects of the team's challenge for the 37th America's Cup, being held off Barcelona, Spain in September and October of 2024.

Hutchinson offered some frank assessments of mistakes made during the previous America's Cup cycle. After winning the Christmas Cup exhibition regatta off Auckland, New Zealand and setting the pace among the challengers, American Magic did not make the advances necessary to succeed when the competition counted.

American Magic sustained a catastrophic capsizing during the early rounds of the Prada Cup Challenger Selection Series and wound up becoming the first boat eliminated. The Italian syndicate Luna Rossa went on to beat the British entry Ineos Team UK in the Prada Cup final.

"Bottom line, we did not make enough improvement as a sailing team from the time the Christmas Cup concluded to when the challenger series began," Hutchinson told the large gathering of Charleston Race Week participants on Thursday night.

"As sailors, we bear responsibility for what went wrong because I believe the designers gave us a fast boat."

Hutchinson discussed some of the lessons learned from American Magic's failure to advance to the Prada Cup final. The two-time Rolex Yachtsman of the Year then provided some insight as to how the U.S. syndicate plans to move forward.

American Magic recently announced it will return to Pensacola for training later this year. Hutchinson said the team will move operations to the Gulf Coast of Florida in September and remain there throughout the winter until relocating to Barcelona.

"Returning to Pensacola was an easy decision for us," Hutchinson said. "The Pensacola community has embraced the American Magic team and Pensacola Bay has proven to be an ideal training venue for foiling monohulls."

American Magic has already announced its core sailing team roster will consist of Andrew Campbell, Riley Gibbs, Paul Goodison, Michael Menninger and Dan Morris. America's Cup veteran Tom Burnham will serve as head coach.

Hutchinson welcomed the chance to speak directly to grassroots sailors and said the packed Charleston Race Week opening night party was an ideal platform for providing an update on the American Magic campaign.

"It's exciting to have an opportunity to perform some direct outreach," said Hutchinson, who fielded half a dozen questions following the presentation.

Hutchinson is competing at Charleston Race Week 2022, returning to his roots as a small-boat, one-design sailor. The Annapolis-based pro is skippering an entry in the highly competitive J/70 class and certainly expects to contend.

Steering a 23-foot sport boat round Charleston Harbor is a dramatic departure from racing aboard a 75-foot foiling monohull, but Hutchinson welcomes any opportunity to get out on the water in a competitive environment.

"I absolutely love sailboat racing and where better to do it than Charleston Race Week," said Hutchinson, who cut his teeth on the J/24 circuit after a decorated collegiate career at Old Dominion. "Racing in a venue such as this is a great reminder of what this sport is all about."

Hutchinson has assembled a strong team consisting of Lucas Calabrese, Mario Trindade and Patrick Wilson. Calabrese represented Argentina in the 2012 Olympics in 470 class, while Trindade helped British skipper Paul Ward capture the 2019 J/70 world championship. Wilson is another veteran of the J/70 class and crewed for Joel Ronning when Catapult captured the world title in 2016.

"There are a lot of very talented teams in this regatta, and I obviously am not a regular on the circuit," said Hutchinson, who has raced a J/70 on and off over the last few years. "However, Charleston is the great equalizer – a very difficult place to sail."

Hutchinson will also participate in the popular Pro-Am Regatta that is always held the Saturday evening of Charleston Race Week. US Sailing Olympic Development Director Leandro Spina, former Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Cory Sertl, 2016 Olympian Paris Henken, veteran pro Zack Clayton and 2022 Rolex Yachtswoman of the Year Laura Grondin will also participate in the Pro-Am, which will be held off the wedding dock at Charleston Harbor Marina & Resort.

High school sailors from the greater Charleston area will serve as crew for the celebrity skippers and Dave Gerber will provide live commentary about the racing action, which will be conducted within view of the post-regatta party.