Impressive Sweden Dominates an Action-Packed Day 4 of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup
by America’s Cup media 21 Sep 12:27 PDT
17-26 September 2024
The racing seen today in Barcelona was among the finest of this remarkable summer sailing, as the Invited Teams of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup experienced an exhilarating day in substantial sea conditions that demanded precision and consistency from the foiling AC40 yachts.
Five races took place in an easterly ‘Llevant’ wind, which reached just over 17 knots, combined with a challenging swell and wave pattern that tested the limits of the sailors.
There were dramatic nosedives, broaches, spill-outs, and sky-rockets observed throughout the fleet as the young athletes navigated solid puffs of wind, keeping the AC40 yachts just on the brink of control, especially when sailing downwind. The five races showcased numerous position changes, with a resolute spirit rewarded many times.
One team stood out, the well-prepared Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies, led by helmsmen Oscar Engström and Ludvig Lindqvist, who displayed a level above the rest.
With four victories out of five races, their performance reflected the extensive training hours spent at their facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before arriving in Spain and establishing themselves in Badalona alongside the American and British Youth & Women’s teams. Their teamwork, communication, and technique were exceptional, and their calm demeanor in challenging situations proved fruitful.
Oscar Engström joyfully returned to shore, sharing his thoughts on the incredible day for the Swedish group: “What a day! Great breeze, nice waves, super happy. There’s still much to achieve, but it felt fantastic to get the monkey off our backs with race wins, and we appreciated the nice wind and waves. It was tough out there, but we maintained consistency, communicated effectively, and found ways to win.”
“We kept calm onboard, focused on our maneuvers—it wasn’t easy, and patience was essential—but we executed when necessary and secured the wins. Our aim now is to reach the semi-finals, where serious racing begins. We’ve trained alongside many of the America’s Cup teams, so we’re confident we can perform well. We aim to win—why not?”
Nevertheless, the Swedish team faced robust competition from the skillful Cole Tapper and Jack Ferguson of Andoo Team Australia, who demonstrated both tactical savvy and great boat speed by securing the first race win and pushing hard throughout the day. Mistakes in boat handling, particularly during downwind maneuvers, hindered the Australians’ chances for the top spot, but they managed to finish the day in second place.
One of the day’s most remarkable stories involved a fierce nosedive just moments before the start of the fifth race by the Australians, who subsequently needed to recover from a swamped boat, a wind data blackout, and a considerable distance lost. Their unyielding spirit encapsulated the essence of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, and finishing in third was a well-deserved reward that elevated the team into second overall.
Local favorites SailTeam BCN, who led overnight after their win yesterday, had a steady day, consistently in contention for podium positions with numerous solid results; securing second and third places in Races 3 and 4 today places them in third with two races pending tomorrow. Following them, JAJO DutchSail, Concord Pacific Racing (Canada), and AC Team Germany are all striving for impressive results to catch the local team and secure a podium finish, leading to semi-final qualifications.
Conrad Konitzer, the port helm for SailTeam BCN, elaborated on the challenges faced on the water today: “It was quite wavy, especially for us, as we don’t have much experience with these boats. Although the wind wasn’t particularly strong, the waves were difficult. The intensity between races was high, requiring readiness and focus after each race. The key was to minimize touching the water, gain speed, and keep everything simple. We didn’t always achieve that and made things a bit complicated, but overall we’re satisfied. Simplicity is the challenge.”
Jaime Framis, the starboard trimmer for SailTeam BCN, expressed confidence in the team’s prospects for the semi-finals after tomorrow’s scheduled races: “I believe we can make it, absolutely. We’ve encountered a few mechanical issues that slowed us down, but once we sort them out, we know we’re quick and looking good. We’re confident that tomorrow will go smoothly, and we’ll keep advancing.”
The Race Committee announced that tomorrow’s schedule will consist of six races, with the first two designated for the Invited Teams to conclude their regatta, followed by four races for the America’s Cup teams.
It will surely be a thrilling six-race ‘Super Sunday’ in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, where the tomorrow’s rising stars of sailing will continue to captivate and energize the sailing world.
