The Youth America’s Cup is about to set sail in Barcelona, and New Zealanders are in for a treat as the action begins tonight, New Zealand time. This year’s event is packed with excitement, with the next generation of foiling superstars racing the AC40s which use the same cutting-edge foiling technology we see in the senior America’s Cup. The competition promises intense fleet and match racing as young sailors vie for glory. So, what’s on the cards for this epic showdown?
The Schedule
Racing kicks off at 14:00 CEST (midnight NZT) with two-hour sessions running through the event. Split into two fleets of six boats, the teams will battle it out in an eight-race qualification series to secure a coveted spot in the semi-finals. The top three from each group move forward to a four-race final series, with the top two facing off in a winner-takes-all match race. The stakes couldn’t be higher, especially for the two lucky finalists who will race between the Louis Vuitton Cup Final matches on September 26th. Expect high-speed foiling and dramatic tactics from these young guns.
A Quick History of the Youth America’s Cup
The Youth America’s Cup has its roots in 2013, when the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup was launched as a platform for the next generation of sailors to enter the big leagues. The inaugural event, held in San Francisco, saw New Zealand’s young team – led by none other than Peter Burling – clinch the title. Many of those sailors are now household names in the America’s Cup world, including Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney, and Sam Meech.
The Youth America’s Cup returned in 2017 in Bermuda, where the British team ‘GBR Land Rover BAR Academy’ took the trophy. Since then, however, the global pandemic saw the 2021 event cancelled, but now it’s back and better than ever in 2024, with UniCredit as the sponsor and the exciting AC40s as the vessel of choice.
The Teams: Who’s Racing?
Each team brings a unique set of strengths and challenges to this competition. Let’s take a look at the teams that will be battling it out in Barcelona:
- New Zealand (Emirates Team New Zealand) – Seb Menzies, Oscar Gunn, Josh Armit, Veerle ten Have, and Leo Takahashi. With talents like Josh Armit and Leo Takahashi, this squad boasts serious credentials. Both have AC experience, and Seb Menzies adds a flair for tactics. The Kiwis are strong contenders but may face a learning curve with the intense match-racing format.
- Britain (Athena Pathway) – Nick Robins, Freya Black, Matt Beck, Harriet Rogers, James Grummett, Alex Hughes. Freya Black and Harriet Rogers bring Olympic pedigree, and their versatility is a massive strength. Britain could be a force, though match-racing experience might be an area to watch.
- Switzerland (Alinghi Red Bull Racing) – Jann Schüpbach, Arno de Planta, Andrea Aschieri, Arnaud Grange, Morgan Lauber, Marie Mazuay, Joshua Richner, Anja von Allmen, and Alexandra Stalder. Alinghi Red Bull Racing fields a deeply experienced team, with stars like Andrea Aschieri and Arnaud Grange. Their strength lies in fleet racing, but their weakness may be adapting quickly to match racing when the pressure is on.
- Italy (Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli) – Marco Gradoni, Gianluigi Ugolini, Guido Gallinaro, Federico Colaninno, Rocco Alekos Falcone, and Stefano Dezulian. Marco Gradoni and Gigi Ugolini have dominated youth sailing for years, giving them a sharp edge. They’ll likely shine in match racing, but their fleet racing consistency could be tested.
- USA (American Magic) – Severin Grann, Ian MacDiarmid, Harry Melges, Kyle Navin, Ben Rosenberg, Fin Rowe, and Ripley Shelley. A well-rounded team with sailors like Harry Melges and Ripley Shelley. Their strong tactical background could help them in both fleet and match racing, but they will need to fine-tune their foiling finesse.
- France (Orient Express L’Oréal Racing Team) – Enzo Balanger, Matisse Picaud, Ange Delerce, Theo Revil, Gaultier Tallieu, Lou Mourniac
- Spain (Sail Team BCN) – Martin Wizner, Conrad Konitzer, Albert Torres, Naus Ballester, Antonio Torrado, Jaime Framis, Carlos Fernandez
- Netherlands (Jajo Team DutchSail) – Bart Lambriex, Paul Hameeteman, Eliot Savelon, Aleksandr Moliakov, Bjarne Bouwer
- Canada (Concord Pacific Racing) – Andrew Wood, Andre Van Dam, Jack Gogan, Galen Richardson, Georgia Lewin-Lafrance
- Germany (AC Team Germany) – Julian Hoffman, Maru Scheel, Paul Farien, Tom Heinrich, Jesse Landstadt, Jill Paland, Lukas Hesse, Linus Van Oppen
- Sweden (Swedish Challenge Powered by Artemis Technologies) – Oscar Engstrom, Hanno Seifert, Oscar Andersson, Hugo Christensson, Felicia Fernstrom, Rasmus Alnebeck, Ludvig Lindqvist
- Australia (Andoo Team Australia) – Cole Tapper, George Richardson, Jack Ferguson, Max Paul, Miles Davey, Tom Needham, Annie Wilmot
Standout Stars
Keep an eye on Marco Gradoni from Italy, who has three Optimist World Championships under his belt, and Seb Menzies from New Zealand, a name who’s been on everyone’s radar in junior sailing. Both are tipped to make waves in this regatta. From the USA, Harry Melges is one to watch with his sharp tactical mind, while Britain’s Freya Black continues to impress with her resilience and competitive spirit.
Don’t Miss the Action
The Youth America’s Cup is all about finding the next Peter Burling or Ben Ainslie, and the young sailors on the AC40s are ready to take on the challenge. With equalised boats and a varied format, it’s all about who can handle the pressure, switch between fleet and match racing, and ultimately rise to the top. Stay tuned for some incredible racing from Barcelona!
