The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup team from Germany, All in Racing, achieved some impressive speed on Saturday, August 31, setting the fastest time at the Speed Trials, ahead of the beginning of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.
34th America's Cup - Red Bull Youth America's Cup Eve© ACEA / PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
Each team had two runs down the course, with Objective Australian posting the time to beat in an early first run in near-perfect conditions. It appeared as if that time, 40.70 seconds, would stand. But the German All in Racing, in its second run, with two men ‘riding the bull’ in the back stern scoop to lift the bows out of the water, streaked across the finish line just .06 seconds ahead, to take the win in a photo finish.
34th America's Cup - Red Bull Youth America's Cup Eve© ACEA / PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
“We had a tough first run, but the second time, we had a good trip and using the two guys in the scoop made a difference,” said helmsman Erik Heil. “We took a different line, not as close to the start boat for the second run. We knew it was a good one, but we weren’t sure we’d done enough to win.”
Racing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup starts on Sunday at 11:10am PT. There are two fleet races per day, Sunday through Wednesday, and all races count towards the final result. The final race on September 4 will be scored for double points.
34th America's Cup - Red Bull Youth America's Cup Eve© ACEA / PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
“We really appreciate the opportunity of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Representing your country by racing these great boats on San Francisco Bay is pretty special,” said Objective Australia’s Jason Waterhouse. “We’re going to grab it with everything we’ve got. We can’t wait to get racing. The boys know what they’ve got to do, I know what I’ve got to do and together as a team we’re going to do it.
Red Bull Youth America’s Cup – Speed Trials
All in Racing (GER) – 40.64 seconds – 23.91 knots
Objective Australia (AUS) – 40.70 seconds – 23.87 knots
USA45 Racing (USA) – 41.56 seconds – 23.38 knots
Team Tilt (SUI) – 42.43 seconds – 22.90 knots
Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL) – 42.68 seconds – 22.76 knots
Swedish Youth Challenge (SWE) – 43.19 seconds – 22.49 knots
American Youth Sailing Force (USA) – 43.34 seconds – 22.42 knots
Next World Energy (FRA) – 44.15 seconds – 22.00 knots
ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR) – 44.24 seconds – 21.96 knots
NZL Sailing Team with ETNZ (NZL) – Did not compete
Fast facts about the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup:
• The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup runs from September 1-4 and is based out of the America’s Cup Village at Marina Green.
• The format is fleet racing – 2 races per day, for an 8 race series, with racing beginning at 11:10am each day. The final race will carry double-points.
• The boats are AC45 catamarans powered by giant wing sails – the same boats used by the America’s Cup teams in the AC World Series from 2011-2013.
• Teams are composed of six sailors, aged 19-24, who represent their country through a nationality rule.
More than 70 territories are broadcasting the event, including the following partners:
• YouTube.com/americascup and YouTube.com/RedBull (worldwide, subject to territorial restrictions)
• ESPN3 (United States)
• ESPN International (Central and South America and the Caribbean)
• Orbit Sports Network (Middle East and North Africa)
• Fox Sports (Australia)
• TVNZ (New Zealand)
• Sport TV (Portugal)
• Servus TV (Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Luxembourg and Liechtenstein)
• Rogers- English language (Canada)
• RDS- French language (Canada)
Live coverage and replays are available internationally on both the America’s Cup and Red Bull YouTube channels, subject to territorial restrictions, as well as within the America’s Cup app.
