Teams react at selection to Red Bull Youth America’s Cup

After a grueling 16-day selection period for 12 teams, the qualifiers for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup are rejoicing today.

 

“Today was a magical day for us! A day to celebrate hard work, commitment, determination and execution of a nine-month plan that started in May 2012,” said skipper Jason Waterhouse, whose team Objective Australia was the fifth selection.


Related story Germans, Kiwis head the fleet after first Red Bull Youth America’s Cup selection series

“Today is a day we want all young Australians to remember that dreams do come true and that there is a reward for hard work. Today is a day when Australia took a huge step towards participating as a nation in the America’s Cup arena once again,” said Waterhouse.

“This result is absolutely fantastic,” said Jocelyn Keller of Team Tilt, which won the racing program in the second selection series. “We gave it our all and we succeeded; it is a dream and we can’t wait to be back in September.”

“It shows the performance characteristics of our team that we can bring in Germany’s top sailors. The guys are team players, physically fit, tactically very front and extremely motivated,” said STG/NRV Youth Team coach Markus Koy of Germany.

The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is scheduled Sept. 1-4 as one of the three attractions in the Summer of Racing planned for San Francisco. The racing takes place between the start of the 2013 America’s Cup and the conclusion of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Crews will race in the AC45 catamarans that are featured on the America’s Cup World Series, and each crew will be comprised of nationals, aged 19-24.

Related story Judgement day brings elation for five teams selected for Red Bull Youth America’s Cup

The 12 crews that participated in the two selection series showed tremendous levels of preparation and professionalism that was unexpected. And the youths can lay claim to an achievement that not even the ACWS sailors can say: no capsizes, no collisions and no paint swaps.

“After three weeks in San Francisco of long, hard days we selected the teams that qualified for the Red Bull Youth America´s Cup 2013,” said Roman Hagara, a Red Bull Sports Director. “Overall it was one of the best experiences in my life to see these young guys giving everything for victory! We really look forward to work with them for the next month but clearly have to say: congrats to all teams! Everyone can be proud! Everyone did a fantastic job!”

View photos of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup selection series

Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Teams

Australia – Objective Australia*
France – Energy Team/Name TBC
Germany – STG/NRV Youth Team*
New Zealand – Emirates Team New Zealand/Name TBC
New Zealand – Full Metal Jacket*
Portugal – ROFF Cascais Sailing Team*
Sweden – Artemis Racing/Swedish Youth Challenge
Switzerland – Team Tilt*
USA – ORACLE TEAM USA/American Youth Sailing Force
USA – ORACLE TEAM USA/USA45 Racing
(* denotes a selected team)