Bluegame Delivers First Zero Emissions Hydrogen Chase Boat to American Magic

In a historic leap toward a more sustainable marine future, Bluegame, a subsidiary of Sanlorenzo, has just delivered the BGH-HSV, a zero-emissions hydrogen-powered chase boat designed for the America’s Cup. Officially handed over to American Magic, the BGH-HSV is a high-performance catamaran capable of reaching speeds up to 50 knots, powered exclusively by hydrogen.

At the ceremony, held at the Sanlorenzo headquarters in La Spezia, Bluegame was represented by CEO Carla Demaria and Luca Santella, Head of Product Strategy and leader of the BGH project. Representing the American team was their president and skipper, Terry Hutchinson, a legend in the history of the America’s Cup.

“From its origins, the history of Bluegame has been one of innovation and courage,” stated Carla Demaria. “The courage to push boundaries, to go beyond the conventional, and to challenge the impossible, as we did with the BGH. We are proud to participate in the America’s Cup alongside the prestigious American Magic team, which has made history as the world’s oldest active international sporting competition. We share their pioneering and competitive spirit. We have created the BGH for them, representing an important step toward the green transition in the yachting industry. For Bluegame, this is not a point of arrival but a starting point for new challenges and opportunities. A special thanks to our partners who stood by us and supported us in this project: Sangiorgio Marine, EODev, Natpower H and Smart Gyro.”

“Choosing Bluegame (Sanlorenzo) for our hydrogen support boat was an easy decision for American Magic,” said Terry Hutchinson. “Bluegame’s cutting-edge marine technology and unwavering commitment to sustainability align perfectly with our values. Their passion for green innovation makes them an ideal partner for this groundbreaking initiative.”

The BGH-HSV features cutting-edge hydrofoil technology, enabling it to “fly” across the water at impressive speeds. Its innovative propulsion system provides a zero-emission range of 180 miles, making it a trailblazer in eco-friendly yachting. The use of hydrogen as the sole propulsion system marks an important milestone in sustainable technology, not only for Bluegame and the Sanlorenzo Group – pioneers in the journey towards carbon neutrality – but for the entire recreational boating industry.

“The efforts and significant investments in research and development to achieve the performance, speed, manoeuvrability, and reliability necessary to successfully support the American Magic team have been rewarded,” said Bluegame founder Luca Santella. “The result is a vessel that marks a new, historic milestone in the application of cutting-edge technologies for more sustainable boating.”

This chase boat is not just a one-off project. Bluegame is committed to mainstreaming fuel-cell technology and is already planning the launch of the BGF line of hydrogen-powered yachts, with the first model expected in 2025.

Moreover, Bluegame is preparing to deliver a second BGH unit to the prestigious Orient Express Racing Team, underscoring its pivotal role in the upcoming America’s Cup. As the competition heats up, these zero-emission chase boats will be integral in supporting the world’s best sailing teams. The third and final preliminary regatta, which will take place in Barcelona from 22 to 25 August, will see all six AC75s compete for the first time. The five challenging teams will then battle it out in the Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Series from 29 August to 7 October. The winning team will advance to face off from 12 to 27 October.

For enquiries on Bluegame’s innovative range of yachts, please connect with our team at [email protected].