From 9 February, the time has come: eleven teams - including the one sent by Sailing Team Germany and the Norddeutscher Regatta-Verein - will first take sailing lessons on the AC45 winged cats in San Francisco before competing for a starting place in the Red Bull Youth America's Cup, which will take place on the Bay from 1 to 4 September. The other competitors in the first group: Objective Australia (AUS), Team Austria (AUT), Danish Vikings (DEN), Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL) and Team i'KaziKati (RSA). The second group (screening from 18 to 24 February) includes Argentina Youth Team (ARG), GBR Youth Challenge (GBR), Team Italy powered by Stig (ITA), ROFF Cascais (POR) and Team Tilt (SUI).
The event, which is open to 19 to 25-year-olds, can be seen as a kind of junior league for the America's Cup, the 34th edition of which will take place immediately afterwards on the huge AC72 cats, also off San Francisco. In addition to the age restriction, there are three other fundamental differences between the Youth AC and the real Cup: the event is sailed on the AC45 cats that are used in the America's Cup World Series. Each team must consist of sailors from the country it represents. And there are several ways to qualify, a fact that needs to be explained.
In addition to the eleven teams listed above, Oracle Team USA, the current Cup defender, has already sighted two teams, USA45 Racing (the US representative) and American Youth Sailing Force (representing the host city of San Francisco). Both teams will train under the supervision of Oracle and are seeded in September. Then, at least on paper, there are four more teams that are supported by existing America's Cup or ACWS teams and will also be seeded with the approval of the regatta director: China Team, Energy Team, Emirates Team New Zealand and Artemis Racing/Swedish Youth Challenge.
It is not yet clear how many teams will be admitted to the Youth AC in addition to the six seeded teams. However, this will become clear in the course of the sailing operations at the two sightings in February, which will be overseen by the two sports directors Roman Hagara and Hans-Peter Steinacher, the two-time Olympic champions in the Tornado. The two Austrians, who also acted as talent scouts, call it a good opportunity to kick-start their careers, but are reluctant to go into details. "First of all, we want all teams to learn, improve and realise their potential during the selection process," says Steinacher. Then it's also about evaluating and inviting the best to the Youth AC in September. "These young teams have a great opportunity to embark on a successful career," says Steinacher.
Driving lesson on the AC45
