Spain and Great Britain clinch final positions in UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Semi-Final
by America’s Cup media 23 Sep 13:12 PDT
17-26 September 2024
The top youth sailing talent in the world made their mark at the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, completing six races in excellent Barcelona conditions.
Amid cheers from local fans, Sail Team BCN not only secured their Semi-Final position but did so impressively with a decisive final race victory when it counted. This young crew, guided by standout talents Martin Wizner and Conrad Konitzer, has demonstrated remarkable progress during the event, showcasing excellent communication and refined boat handling skills.
The Spanish crew will join Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies and Andoo Team Australia in the Semi-Final as the three leading teams. This outcome is deserved as they consistently outperformed the competition throughout their eight-race series, continuously fighting for the top spot and exhibiting improvements in each race. How they will match up against the America’s Cup teams is yet to be revealed, but they are undoubtedly eager for the challenge.
After racing, helmsman Martin Wizner expressed his excitement on shore, stating: “We went out to enjoy the racing; it was fantastic today, with no significant waves, and these boats excel in such conditions. We were incredibly fast, and today was all about sailing. Everyone was pushing the boat, and the fleet was tightly packed, allowing us to lead and race like a traditional boat.”
Jaime Framis, the team’s starboard trimmer, looked ahead to the Semi-Finals with realistic optimism: “We want to advance to the Semi-Finals and win. However, we’re realistic about facing three Group A teams with all their experience from the Cup. They have far more time on the boat than us and are exceptional sailors. Our aim was to get here, and from now on, it’s about enjoying ourselves and doing our utmost. We’ll take it one step at a time and embrace whatever comes our way.”
Ludvig Lindqvist, helmsman for the top-ranking Swedish Challenge, is keen for the upcoming Semi-Final fleet racing: “This is effectively a new regatta, and you have to approach it with confidence. We have some homework to do tonight, and it’s crucial to start strong and maintain our speed; that should help us resolve various issues.”
When asked about competing against Italy, the USA, and GBR in the Semi-Final, Lindqvist replied: “They seem very strong. We’ve been racing together over the summer, exchanging lots of information. If we come in confident and have a good day, we can definitely be competitive.”
Cole Tapper, the emerging foiling star from Andoo Team Australia, exuded confidence before the Semi-Finals, saying: “I believe we can shake things up. The team has been performing exceptionally well, improving each day. Our boat-handling skills have sharpened, enabling us to race harder. We’re definitely in the mix. We know we’re fast, and while we’ve had some maneuverability challenges, we’ve significantly improved. Today, we focused solely on racing rather than boat handling, which felt liberating and exciting.”
The America’s Cup teams quickly took over the AC40 fleet, changing team branding and adjusting crew weights to ensure equality. Racing commenced in 12-14 knots, bringing intense action as all sailors fought hard across the course. Successful boat handling was essential, and any mistakes during maneuvers faced severe consequences.
Marco Gradoni and Gianluigi Ugolini from Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli secured wins in the day’s first two races, showcasing their skills with precision. The fluidity of their sailing and efficient communication between helm and trimmers is something many aim to replicate, and they finished the day with a commanding lead, despite some unusual handling mistakes later on.
Gradoni addressed the focus the team is bringing to the Semi-Finals, saying: “We’re staying calm and observant, analyzing what the other teams can do while aiming to win races. Our group has been highly competitive, and tomorrow we face three new teams, which we need to analyze to understand their capabilities and focus on our strengths.” When asked about confidence, Gradoni said: “One is never fully confident, but we don’t feel pressure. It will be tough; four races are ahead, and it won’t be easy.”
The Italians faced strong competition from Harry Melges and Kyle Navin of NYYC American Magic, a steadily improving team throughout the regatta. Melges maintained his calmness before the Semi-Final: “Tomorrow marks a fresh start in the Semi-Finals. Our goal is to be in the top two and advance to the final. We’ll review today’s races, focusing on fine-tuning our performance, especially since conditions are expected to be similar to today.”
In discussing the rivalry with Marco Gradoni, Melges noted: “I hadn’t considered it that way before. It’s our first time racing against each other, but it’s exciting, and he’s definitely our current target.”
Athena Pathway from Great Britain, led by Nick Robins, took third place, demonstrating their ability to thrive under UniCredit Youth America’s Cup pressure. The climactic final race in Race 8 showcased the British team’s speed and potential as they competed against Emirates Team New Zealand for the last podium position and Semi-Final qualification.
The race was fiercely contested between the British and New Zealand crews, and a technical malfunction forced France to retire. Robins and co-helm James Grummett maintained strong performance, closely contesting the lead with NYYC American Magic, ultimately finishing just a boat length behind for second place. This secured them third in the qualifying series, delighting British fans in Barcelona.
Post-race, James Grummett remained realistic about their approach to the Semi-Finals: “We take it day by day. We’re continuously learning about racing and the boats. Our first day was tough but educational, and we improved each day. Today’s race was highly competitive, particularly at the start. The event resets tomorrow with just one day of racing, so we’ll apply what we’ve learned thus far and put it into practice.”
The Semi-Final of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup is set, featuring the top three teams from Group A (Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, NYYC American Magic, Athena Pathway) and Group B (Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies, Andoo Team Australia, Sail Team BCN) in a four-race series scheduled for tomorrow, determining the top two teams advancing to the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup Final.
That final race will be a winner-takes-all match held between the first two races of the Louis Vuitton Cup Final on Thursday, September 26, ensuring great visibility for the upcoming stars of tomorrow’s America’s Cup.
For now, all focus is on tomorrow’s final fleet racing session of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, slated for 1400 CET on Tuesday, September 24. The competition is incredibly close, promising thrilling action. Bring it on.
