RNZYS HAS RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT INTEREST FROM YACHT CLUBS ALL OVER THE WORLD FOR THE REVAMPED 2021 YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP.

By close of play for the initial entry period (29 February), 10 teams had officially entered – and the event is shaping up to be a melting pot of global youth sailing talent. Confirmed entries have been received from New Zealand, China, Australia, Italy, Hong Kong, Switzerland (2), Russia, Argentina and the Netherlands.

While entries remain open past the initial period, those entering between 1 March and 30 September 2020 will incur a late entry fee. More than 40 high quality expressions of interest have been received since the event was announced.

The event will be contested on the new AC9F foiling mono-hulls. These boats have been developed by Yachting Developments with some input from the Emirates Team New Zealand design team. Yachting Developments owner and RNZYS Commodore Ian Cook is thrilled with the progress so far.

“It’s been a big project and taken a lot of work to get the first boat ready, but we are nearly there with the first yacht heading into the paint shop. There is no doubt that these boats are going to be thrilling to watch, and the young sailors who will be racing them are guaranteed to have a lot of fun. But they will also be testing themselves and pushing their sailing ability to the maximum.”

The multi-leg event begins with a fleet racing seeding event in China in November 2020 and then a match racing event in Auckland from February 18-23, 2021, with the finals held between March 8-12, 2021 in the shadow of Auckland’s iconic Harbour Bridge.

In line with the original America’s Cup Deed of Gift, it is designed to be a ‘friendly competition between yacht clubs of all nations’. Unlike previous editions, multiple entries from various countries will be allowed.

Crews must be between 18-24 years of age. To encourage diversity teams will consist of a mixed crew of four sailors on each boat, including two females and two male sailors with a maximum crew weight of 311kg.