The 2017 edition of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is set to be the best yet with 12 teams fighting it out on the water in Bermuda for the coveted June title.
Founders Roman Hagara and Hans Peter Steinacher have now confirmed the final fleet of 12 national teams made up of sailors all aged between 19-25.
The Olympic legends announced that Austria and Spain will make their debuts in the event, while the sailors will utilise AC45F foiling catamarans for the first time just like the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.
With the sleek catamarans capable of reaching speeds of up to 50 knots, it promises to be an exciting spectacle on the Great Sound once the six-person rosters are locked in May.
Qualification commences between June 12-16 with Pools A and B comprising a maximum of six boats each competing for eight Finals spots starting on June 20-21.
Reigning America’s Cup champions ORACLE TEAM USA will support and mentor both Team BDA, the Bermudian challengers, and Next Generation USA, the American representatives.
Steinacher declared, “The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup has changed the America’s Cup world – the teams saw that the new boats fit the young generation, who are very good at handling the speed. The sailing leaders are picking younger sailors than before.”
Hagara added, “So far, eight sailors from the 2013 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup have found positions on America’s Cup boats, including Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who were on the Kiwi team that won the first Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. They went on to become Olympic Champions and earn positions on Emirates Team New Zealand in the America’s Cup. It’s going to be exciting to see the racing this time around with the added dimension and speed of foiling.”
Teams
Candidate Sailing Team, Austria
Team BDA, Bermuda
Youth Viking Denmark, Denmark
Team France Jeune, France
Next Generation – Team Germany, Germany
Land Rover BAR Academy, Great Britain
Kaijin Team Japan, Japan
NZL Sailing Team, New Zealand
Spanish Impulse Team, Spain
Artemis Racing Youth, Sweden
Team Tilt, Switzerland
Next Generation USA, USA