Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth Team Ready for UniCredit Youth America’s Cup
by Alinghi Red Bull Racing 16 Sep 01:53 PDT
17-26 September 2024
The Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth Team is practicing for the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup in Barcelona, Spain © Samo Vidic
In conjunction with the Louis Vuitton Cup in Barcelona, Switzerland’s most gifted young sailors are preparing for the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. After months of training, Alinghi Red Bull Racing is targeting a strong showing at the renowned sailing event, which will take place from September 17-26.
Following several months of training camps based in Barcelona, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth Team is now primed and eager to start racing. Beginning tomorrow, 12 nations will compete at Port Olímpic in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. Now in its third edition, this event marks the third time the Swiss team has contested for this prestigious title. Teams will race on the AC40 foiling boats which can reach speeds of up to 45 knots, or over 80kph, in one-design format, meaning the competition hinges entirely on the skill and teamwork of the sailors onboard.
For skipper Jann Schüpbach, 23, representing Switzerland is of great importance. “It’s a significant honor—along with a responsibility—to represent Switzerland in the America’s Cup. We’re the only European country that has won the Cup. Knowing that we have fully committed to our preparations gives us a strong feeling going into the races.” Trimmer Marie Mazuay, 19, believes that the team’s initial experiences in fleet racing will be crucial. “Now that the event is upon us, every moment is vital. The learning process is intense. We will be acquiring knowledge and improving with every race and every lap.”
The Swiss America’s Cup team is currently competing in the Louis Vuitton Cup in Barcelona, fighting for the oldest and most esteemed sailing trophy in the world. With five sailors from the roster having previously participated in the Youth America’s Cup, the competition provides opportunities for aspiring professional sailors, bolstered by Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s Shore & Tech pathway. “This event is creating opportunities for young sailors to compete in the Formula 1 of sailing,” claims Matías Bühler, Head Coach for the Swiss Youth and Women’s teams. “I also believe that their participation in these boats is inspiring many younger sailors globally.”
With the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup commencing tomorrow, Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s Youth Team is ready to vie for one of sailing’s most coveted titles.
Click here to view the team’s complete roster. You can follow the racing or watch the events live on YouTube.
Matías Bühler, Head Coach, Youth and Women’s teams: “In racing, the conventional approach is to play it safe—it typically pays off. However, this event is a very different kind of regatta. It’s quite brief, with only eight races in the qualifying stage and limited opportunities for recovery, making it nearly a one-shot competition. We have been analyzing prior regattas and simulating multiple scenarios, and we’ve concluded that we need to adopt an aggressive stance from the start. I believe we have prepared well to position ourselves effectively in terms of tactics.”
Jann Schüpbach, Skipper: “Each group will have six boats on the course, and at present, we aren’t fully aware of the skill level of the other teams. It might get chaotic at times since this is a new race format for all involved. Our primary aim is to maintain clear and clean racing and avoid entanglements with other boats.”
As the skipper, my role is to motivate the team and ensure that all four of us onboard feel comfortable, enabling open communication. We have also been having one-on-one discussions, and I see my responsibility as maintaining team cohesion while supporting individual performance.”
Marie Mazuay, Trimmer: “From the outset, the Youth and Women’s teams have been training and sailing together. This team spirit has propelled us forward significantly. Each of us brings unique skills, contributing to the group. We’re very receptive to discussions, which has helped elevate our level.”
