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RETURN OF THE YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP
Creating pathways into the America’s Cup has been a significant challenge since 2013, when the first Youth America’s Cup took place in San Francisco. The winners of that regatta are now some of the sport’s most prominent figures: Peter Burling, the skipper of the Defender for the 37th America’s Cup, led the ‘NZL Sailing Team’ alongside renowned talents like Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney, and Sam Meech — all of whom remained integral to Emirates Team New Zealand in 2024.
The return of the regatta in 2024 promised to showcase the future stars of the America’s Cup, with fierce competition among the next generation of sailors eager to make their mark and kickstart their journey at the very pinnacle of the sport.
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HISTORY
A PATHWAY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONSThe 2013 regatta, held on non-foiling AC45 catamarans, also featured future stars such as Jason Saunders (who was with the Orient Express Racing Team during the 37th America’s Cup), Lucien Cujean, and Jason Waterhouse (both with Alinghi Red Bull Racing), illustrating the long-lasting impact of this pioneering competition on the next generation of sailing talent.
Building on the success of the inaugural regatta, the Youth America’s Cup returned in 2017 in Bermuda with the upgraded AC45F foiling catamarans. This time, the British ‘GBR Land Rover BAR Academy’ team took home the trophy. Among the standout performers was Neil Hunter, a powerhouse cyclor who was quickly recruited by the senior team of INEOS Britannia.
Although the 2021 regatta was cancelled in Auckland due to the global pandemic, it had been revitalised with the support of UniCredit Bank, set to return in 2024 as the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona.
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THE UNICREDIT YOUTH AMERICA’S CUP
NEXT AT THE HELMIn September 2024, this event featured the fully equalised AC40 foiling monohulls, providing a dynamic and innovative platform for emerging talent. Each of the established teams from the 37th America’s Cup fielded a youth team, with representatives from New Zealand, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, USA, and France. In addition, six other yacht clubs entered youth teams from Sweden, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia.
The twelve teams were split into Invited Teams and 37th America’s Cup Teams, competing in a fleet race Selection Series to determine the top three from each group. These teams then progressed to a Semi-Final, culminating in a thrilling winner-takes-all match race between the top two.
During the Louis Vuitton Cup Final, the much-anticipated battle between Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy) and NYYC American Magic (USA) captivated audiences, with the young stars of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli emerging victorious, lifting the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Trophy.
