Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Youth America's Cup Selection Series - Massive expectations

by Irene Corosu on 10 Feb 2013
Team Oracle CEO Russel Coutts greets the sailors on the opening day of the Red Bull Youth America´s Cup Selection Series in San Francisco, California, USA Balazs Gardi / Red Bull Content Pool
The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series provided on the first day an illustration of the massive expectations on the youth teams who have congregated in San Francisco for a shot at advancing to September’s regatta.

The teams were put through their paces on shore by Sports Directors Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher, where the physical demands of sailing an AC45 wing sail catamaran were made clear through an exhausting fitness evaluation.

'That’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,' said Michael Ovenstone, a 22-year-old trimmer for South Africa’s i’KaziKati team. 'I really feel the burning in my arms,' he said, while massaging the inside of his forearms. 'I don’t know what muscle that is, but it burns.'



Along with the fitness testing, the teams were instructed on how to sail an AC45 and how, hopefully, to avoid capsizing.

'We’re talking to them about the four most common scenarios that can lead to a capsize,' said Darren Bundock, from Oracle Team USA, who is one of the coaches sharing his expertise. 'But I imagine we could see some creativity over the course of these sessions in finding some new ways we haven’t encountered yet.'

At the beginning of the day, the six youth teams were welcomed by Russell Coutts, the CEO of Oracle Team USA and a driving force behind the creation of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

'The Red Bull Youth America's Cup is meant to be a way for you guys to show your talents and make it to the pro sailing ranks,' Coutts told the group. 'So work hard but also have fun and enjoy yourselves. This is some of the best and most fun racing I've done in years. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it too.'




Beginning Sunday, the teams will start on-the-water training in the AC45s, leading to race practice later in the week.

'We need to build towards the racing methodically,' Hagara said.

'These boats are a handful for the most experienced, professional sailors,' agreed his counterpart Steinacher. 'So it’s important that we take the right steps to allow everyone a chance to learn, develop and succeed as we move towards the racing at the end of the week and the eventual selection for September.'



The six national teams taking part in the first session of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Selection Series are:

AUS – Objective Australia
AUT – Team Austria
DEN – Danish Youth Vikings
GER – STG-NRV Youth Team
NZL – Full Metal Jacket Racing
RSA – Team i’KaziKati

The first group is on site at the Selection Series in San Francisco between February 9-15. Then, from February 18-24, a second group of youth crews will go through the same process, including the following teams:

ARG – Arg Youth Team
GBR – GBR Youth Challenge
ITA – Team Italy powered by Stig
POR – ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team
SUI – Team TILT

At the end of the second session, at least four teams will be selected to proceed to the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup taking place from September 1-4, right before the America’s Cup Finals in San Red Bull Youth Americas Cup

Selden 2020 - FOOTERVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTERNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Related Articles

Kojiro Shiraishi - the IMOCA fleet's Obi-Wan!
The Japanese sailor is set to start his third Vendée Globe on Sunday Kojiro Shiraishi is the skipper of the IMOCA DMG MORI in the Vendée Globe. At the age of 26 he became the youngest sailor to complete a non-stop single-handed circumnavigation, twice finished 2nd in the solo BOC Challenge.
Posted today at 6:15 pm
L'Occitane Sailing Team set for the Vendée Globe
Clarisse Crémer: "I want to be more confident this time" Four years after completing her first solo circumnavigation of the globe, Clarisse Crémer is preparing to repeat the experience, albeit in a completely new way.
Posted today at 5:09 pm
Savvy Navvy signs Australian and NZ distributor
As the company continues to make digital navigation solutions more accessible for boaters Marine technology company Savvy Navvy has signed Australia-based Paddy Wester as its exclusive Australian and New Zealand distributor, as the company continues to make digital navigation solutions more accessible for boaters.
Posted today at 9:50 am
Lexus of Tasmania Maria Island Race Preview
A quality fleet will set off on the 180-mile race on Friday The 77th Lexus of Tasmania Maria Island Race starts from Castray Esplanade at 19:00 on Friday evening, hosted by The Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.
Posted today at 9:19 am
Magenta project: Pathways of three top sailors
The Magenta Project connects with Sam Davies, Pip Hare, and Mariana Lobato as they share their paths This weekend six women, a record, are starting in the Vendee Globe, which is one of the few sailing events offering open racing between men and women. Although the Vendee has not been won by a woman, the last two round the world races have.
Posted today at 7:57 am
SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody - Now just €50
Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: Was €120 | Now €50 - Order yours today! Price Drop: SLAM ETNZ Deck Hoody: WAS €120 | NOW €50 - Order yours today! Ideal Xmas gift for America's Cup fans! Get your souvenir hoody on the America's Cup champion!
Posted today at 4:04 am
NZ Match Racing Nationals start next Wednesday
16 top competitors will contest the NZ Match Racing Na in what promises to be an electrifying event The New Zealand Match Racing Championship (NZMRC) will take place from November 14th to 17th at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, bringing together 16 top competitors in what promises to be an electrifying event.
Posted today at 2:11 am
36th SCIBS already set to be a showstopper
The much anticipated 36th edition of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show The much anticipated 36th edition of the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) is on track to showcase the most spectacular vessels and marine products available in Australia during one of the boating world's most popular weeks.
Posted today at 12:24 am
Nacra 17 Europeans at Sferracavallo Day 1
First two races completed in light winds The first day of the Nacra 17 European Championship has officially begun at the Circolo Velico Sferracavallo! In light winds of 9 knots, gradually decreasing to 7-8 knots, the fleet of 18 boats and 36 sailors completed two races.
Posted on 6 Nov
Conrad Colman: From the Rockies to the Vendée
Competing with a boat which is entirely fossil fuel free Conrad Colman grew up in New Zealand, went to High School and College in America, and then immediately went to Europe having fallen in love with the Vendée Globe.
Posted on 6 Nov