Youth AC: RNZYS crew short list named
by RNZYS 17 Apr 2020 19:55 NZST
The 9m foiling monohull that sailors will race for the Youth America's Cup - Yachting Developments - March 2020 © RNZYS
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has selected a shortlist of seventeen highly talented youth sailors to be a part of their initial Youth America’s Cup Squad.
The shortlisted squad includes a variety of male and female sailors from different sailing backgrounds, including Mastercard RNZYS Youth Training Programme graduates, RNZYS Performance Programme sailors and graduates, as well as NZL Sailing Team sailors.
These sailors are currently involved in a mix of sailing disciplines, including; match racing, 49er, 49fx, SailGP, and laser sailing – bringing a solid spread of sailing prowess to the team.
The RNZYS received over sixty male applications and over thirty female applications, an overwhelming response which shows the genuine excitement building behind the reinvigorated Youth America’s Cup event.
A careful selection process was then undertaken by RNZYS Training Manager Reuben Corbett –
“It was really great to see so many young sailors apply for this squad and be keen to be involved in what is a truly exciting event. Unfortunately we couldn’t select them all, and there will be some disappointed applicants out there, however we feel we have selected the best possible shortlist to then take forward into the next stage of the selection process.”
The shortlisted sailors will now be individually interviewed and will go through some rigorous fitness testing before the final squad of ten sailors is chosen.
See the full RNZYS Youth America’s Cup Team Shortlist below -
RNZYS Youth America’s Cup Team Shortlist
Female: Olivia Christie, Annabelle Rene-Younger, Crystal Sun, Megan Thomson, Celia Willison, Olivia Hobbs, Charlotte Porter, Courtney Reynolds-Smith, Brianna Reynolds-Smith.
Male: William McKenzie, Leonard Takahashi, Isaac McHardie, Nick Egnot-Johnson, Zak Merton, Josh Wijohn, Taylor Balogh, Alastair Gifford.
More on the Youth America’s Cup 2021
Fifteen teams from twelve nations all over the world have already officially entered into the 2021 Youth America’s Cup. Nations with their representative yacht clubs who have entered teams are as follows: New Zealand (2), Australia (2), Switzerland (2), Netherlands, Russia, Argentina, Hong Kong – China, Denmark, China, Germany, Spain, USA.
It is important to note that entry is still open for this event right up until the 30th September 2020, although this is subject to any space still available at that point. Due to such high demand early on the RNZYS are encouraging any other clubs who are considering an entry to get this in as soon as possible.
The age restriction for the crews is they must be between 18-24 years of age. To encourage diversity at this high level the teams will consist of a mixed crew of four sailors on each boat, including two females and two male sailors with a maximum crew weight of 311kgs.
All racing is to be completed on brand new AC9F foiling mono-hulls which are being built at Yachting Developments in Auckland. The first AC9F is completed, and on water testing will begin after New Zealand’s COVID-19 lockdown period ends.
In line with the original America’s Cup Deed of Gift, the Youth America’s Cup is designed to be a ‘friendly competition between yacht clubs of all nations’.