Concord Pacific Racing Readies for Historic Presence at UniCredit Youth America’s Cup
by Concord Pacific Racing 16 Sep 10:03 PDT
17-26 September 2024
Concord Pacific Racing at the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, Practice Day © Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup
Concord Pacific Racing is prepared to make history as Canada competes for the first time in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, with races commencing tomorrow.
With backing from primary sponsors Concord Green Energy, RBC, TELUS, and Dilawri, this achievement marks a new era for Canadian sailing at the sport’s highest level. Led by Coach Kyle Martin and Captain Andrew Wood, the team has navigated a demanding yet exhilarating journey to reach this point, showcasing the resilience necessary to excel at this elite standard.
Wood views this as a meaningful advancement for the sport within Canada. “It’s an incredible honor to represent Canada at the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. This is our first entry into the event, and I am proud to wear the Concord Pacific Racing jersey and represent the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club. The support from home has been tremendous, and it’s thrilling to feel the excitement growing throughout the country,” expressed Wood.
Canada’s participation arrives at a crucial time for the America’s Cup, which sees the debut of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup alongside the long-standing Youth America’s Cup—both initiatives intended to boost involvement and create opportunities for aspiring sailors. Canada’s entry in the Women’s event reinforces its ambitions on the international sailing scene.
The preparation for the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup has been anything but simple. Lacking a dedicated AC40 boat, Concord Pacific Racing has heavily depended on a sophisticated simulator to become familiar with the high-performance, foiling monohull designed to lift above the water at thrilling speeds nearing 40 knots (74 km/h). Regardless of these challenges, Wood is confident their preparations will pay off on race day.
“Every day has focused on maximizing every chance to improve, and I am proud of how our team has united. It’s been an intense learning experience, but the teamwork and communication we’ve built have been essential.”
The UniCredit Youth America’s Cup includes two categories of competitors: America’s Cup teams and Invited teams. America’s Cup teams, such as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Emirates Team New Zealand, and NYYC American Magic, maintain close ties to senior America’s Cup syndicates and benefit from significantly more time on the AC40 boats, providing them with a training edge.
Conversely, Invited teams like Concord Pacific Racing represent nations such as Canada, Sweden, Spain, and Germany and have primarily depended on simulator training due to restricted boat availability. Wood explains, “Not having our own boat has certainly added a layer of difficulty, but it’s a challenge we’ve managed to overcome. We’ve dedicated countless hours on the simulator to enhance our skills and communication, and that has translated effectively during our time on the water.”
This creates an intriguing competition, where the Invited teams can potentially disrupt the established order and demonstrate their prowess on the global stage.
The official Concord Pacific Racing Youth team for the 2024 UniCredit Youth America’s Cup consists of:
Andrew Wood (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Captain)
Andre Van Dam (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club)
Jack Gogan (Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron / Northern Yacht Club)
Georgia Lewin-LaFrance (Chester Yacht Club / Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron)
Alternate sailor: Galen Richardson (Royal Canadian Yacht Club)
Wood, representing the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Concord Pacific Racing’s Yacht Club of Record, expressed his pride in showcasing both his club and country globally. “Royal Van has played a pivotal role in my sailing journey. They supported me during my time on the 49er with my brother, and it is an honor to represent them now in the Youth America’s Cup. The backing from the club and everyone back home has been incredible.”
The team’s supporters, families, and fans have rallied around them as they embark on this venture, with Wood’s family traveling to Barcelona to offer their encouragement. “It’s thrilling to witness the growing interest in the America’s Cup within Canada. This is a significant event on the global stage, and we are immensely proud to be involved.”
Race format and viewing options
Racing begins on September 17 for the America’s Cup teams, while Concord Pacific Racing will initiate their campaign in their pool with the Invited Teams on September 18, participating in a qualifying series of four races daily. The top three teams in each pool will move on to the semi-finals, culminating in a match-race final to determine the champions.
“We’re competing against some of the finest youth sailors worldwide, and the competition is intense,” said Wood. “We’re prepared to give it everything, and we hope Canadians will tune in to back us.”
Fans can follow the excitement live on TSN, YouTube, or via the America’s Cup website, where all races will be streamed. The event is expected to showcase high-pressure, high-speed racing, with the AC40s—a smaller version of the senior teams’ AC75 boats—providing an exhilarating spectacle on the water.
As they approach their final training session, Wood and his team remain intensely focused on achieving their best performance. Despite facing teams with significantly more experience on the water, Concord Pacific Racing is eager to rise to the challenge. “It feels a bit like a David and Goliath scenario competing against teams with more boat time,” noted Wood. “But we’re ready to push ourselves and see what we can accomplish. We have a strong, united team, and I’m confident we’ll give our all out there.”
With the backing of corporate Canada and supporters across the nation, Concord Pacific Racing is all set to leave their mark on the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. The team invites Canadians to join them on their journey and cheer them on as they pursue bringing home the trophy.
You can follow all the excitement of Concord Pacific Racing on Instagram or through the team’s website.
