Kiwi Magic

 KZ-7 www.kiwimagickz7.com

Owner Details & History Built according to the International Third Rule America's Cup 1986 - 1987 NZ America's Cup Challenge Trust - name: New Zealand - home port: Auckland. The budget for the New Zealander challenge was $ 15,000,000 and the Syndicate is chaired by Sir Michael Fay, a wealthy merchant banker. He decided to put together the three leading New Zealand designers to realize the first of a long lasting challenge for the Cup. First, two models are realized of Victory '83 and Australia II (it is said that the lines of Australia II were acquired by the New Zealanders); tests are run at Wolfson Institute at the Southampton University and five other models are realized and there tank test data are verified with computer analysis; the fifth model will be chosen as a good heavy weather performer on which the first two Twelves will be realized: KZ 3 and KZ 5; both are identical and, after long consultations with the Lloyds, they are built, this is the first time in the International Rule history, in fibre glass composite (hence the nickname of "plastic fantastics"); the advantage is to have much more stiff boats, estimated by Laurie Davidson in the order of 20 times than aluminium with no flexing in the hull and especially in the mast region where the shrouds are attached. From the results of the two Twelves, KZ 7 takes shape after much more testing and other models; special attention is devoted to the keel design for which exaustive tests are conducted in wind tunnel facilities.

New Zealand KZ 7 is nicknamed "Kiwi Magic" and profits also of the experience of KZ 3 and KZ5 during the 1996 Class World Championship; she has an innovative deck layout and two cockpits; she is longer than the two others with a little more sheer; she is a good all-round boat.

During the Challenger Trials she has an impressive series of wins but in the finals she ws beaten by Stars & Stripes '87 by a score of 4-1, the skippers are Chris Dickson and Dennis Conner. Stars & Stripes '87 won the 26th Match on Kookaburra III.

1987 - 2002: Sir Michael Fay. In 1994 she wins in Newport the Sesquicentennal Regatta (NYYC). In 1998 she was leased for three years to Patrizio Bertelli and raced in the Mediterranean circuit. In 1998 she won the Saint Tropez Rolex Cup and in 1999 the Sixth Twelve Metre World Championship held in Saint Tropez and was second in the 2000 Saint Tropez Cup.

2003 - 2012: America3 Foundation (William I. Koch) - home port: Newport, RI (USA).

2012 - 2015: USMMA /US Merchant Marine Academy) Sailing Foundation, Inc - home port: Newport, RI (USA)

Since Jan. 2016: Johan Blach Petersen - home port: Marselisborg, Aarhus (Denmark)

Results: 1987 in Porto Cervo: winner 1999 in Saint Tropez: winner 2001 in Cowes (America's Cup Jubilee): second 2002 in Newport: third 2005 in Newport: third 2009 in Newport: winner; 2012 in Newport: winner