Please select your home edition
Edition
CBGTG_summer24_digital_728x90 TOP

America's Cup: Youth AC yacht nails foiling gybes - Video

by Andrew Delves/RNZYS 25 Jun 2020 19:16 NZST
Kotare - America's Cup Youth Boat - AC9F - sailing on the Waitemata - June 24, 2020 © Andrew Delves

The brand new AC9F Youth America's Cup yacht has undergone an official on-water sail testing day in Auckland with fantastic results, and the event is well on track for 2021.

With two female and two male crew on board, the boat was up on the foils straight away, and was pushing speeds of up to thirty knots. The crew even managed a few foiling gybes and showed - even in this early testing stage - that the AC9F is the real deal and will be an incredibly exciting boat to see in action during next year's event.

This first AC9F has been designed and built in New Zealand in a collaboration between Yachting Developments and the NZ Marine Industry, including Southern Spars, Harken and North Sails. It is great to have had this unique project built here in New Zealand, generating jobs and money for the country.

Yachting Developments owner Ian Cook was out on the water to witness the boat in action and was incredibly happy with the outcome.

"It was great to see the boat sailing and working well, we are thrilled with how it performed. It has been a big combined effort from the NZ Marine Industry to make this happen, and to see it flying on the foils at speed today was a massive result for everyone involved."

The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron has received seventeen confirmed entries with fifteen of these teams' internationals. With more in the pipeline, the goal of twenty teams is looking likely. Collectively the teams are set to bring in over two-hundred-and-fifty people to New Zealand, all of whom will be staying in the country for several months which will have a significantly positive impact on the New Zealand economy. This figure doesn't include families and spectators, which will then push this impact up even further.

"This event is going to be huge for New Zealand and we can't wait to see all the teams here and getting stuck in," RNZYS CEO Hayden Porter said.

"A huge amount of hard work has gone on behind the scenes gathering entries and getting the first boat ready to go. This event is set to have a very important impact on the New Zealand economy, and will bring in the equivalent of two America's Cup teams worth of people into the country for a long period of time. It will generate tens of millions of dollars for New Zealand. Teams will soon begin the immigration process and are willing to quarantine at their expense to ensure they can compete as required."

Gender diversity is one of the main draw cards and motivations for this reinvigorated Youth America's Cup, with all teams required to include two male and two female crew members.

Yachting Developments' and Ocean Race sailor Bianca Cook was on board for the testing and is really excited by the gender diversity rule for this event."It was a lot of fun, I only wish I was young enough to be able to compete in the event next year! I think this event is going to be a great success and the gender diversity makes it really interesting. I think to have this rule in place can only be a positive for the sport of sailing, and paves the way for female sailors to be involved in major sailing events such as the America's Cup."

The Youth America's Cup will take place over a 3 week period in the off sailing days of the Prada Cup Challenger Series finals and America's Cup Match, the dates are February 18th - 23rd, March 1st - 5th, and March 8th - 12th 2021.

Teams are set to begin arriving later this year for training preparations, and now with the first boat in the water and performing well, the countdown is on for what is going to be a superb event in Auckland in 2021.

For more information on the Youth America's Cup see the official website: www.youthamericascup.com

Related Articles

Cup Spy - Finals - Who dares, wins
The AC75 proved its ability to provide compelling viewing, match racing at speeds touching 55kts Critics of the AC75 and its suitability as a match racer for the America's Cup should be eating their words after Sunday's Blinder in Barcelona Posted on 30 Sep
America's Cup: Gulf Wars - your record of 36AC
A souvenir record of the regattas of the 36th America's Cup is now on sale across all regions A souvenir record of the regattas of the 36th America's Cup is now on sale in New Zealand, and available internationally published just over a week after racing concluded in the 36th America's Cup. Posted on 31 Mar 2021
America's Cup start expected to be postponed
For the America's Cup the earliest Auckland will come out of the Lockdown is Sunday, March 7 The NZ Prime Minister has announced a return to Alert Level 3 for seven days. For the America's Cup the earliest Auckland will come out of the Lockdown is Sunday, March 7. An announcement is expected from the permitted organiser America's Cup Event Ltd Posted on 27 Feb 2021
America's Cup: US$35,000 set as refit minimum
NZ government has clarified the requirements which must be met obtain border exemption The New Zealand government is, from July 2020, allowing foreign flagged vessels and yachts with booked-in refits or repairs to enter New Zealand. The minimum repair/refit value has been set at NZ$50,000 (US$33,300) Posted on 29 Jul 2020
Yacht clubs able to apply to new $20m Am Cup Fund
Yacht clubs are one group who would be able to apply for funding from the America's Cup fund. A $20million Lottery Fund has been created to help communities throughout New Zealand benefit from the 2021 America's Cup. The Minister made it clear that yacht clubs were one group who would be able to apply for funding from the America's Cup fund. Posted on 29 Nov 2018
America's Cup entry open in five days
Cheap talk stops, $1million initial entry fee due The talking stops in just five days in the 36th America's Cup. That's when entries open for the regatta due to be held in Auckland in March 2021. Posted on 27 Dec 2017
Am Cup - A look back at 2017 - Team NZ + Video
Emirates Team NZ - "It began with belief, and ended with redemption. " 2017 has been a monumental year for everyone at Emirates Team New Zealand - finally managing to win back the America's Cup for New Zealand. Here's a video looking back at Emirates Team NZ's year and a campaign. Posted on 21 Dec 2017
Am Cup: Dalton refutes AC75 cost claims
Some commentators have criticised the new boat as being too complex and too expensive Some Cup commentators have criticised the new boat as being too complex and too expensive. "To the people who say it's out of control cost-wise, they are uneducated – they have no idea what's going on here," Dalton fires back. Posted on 19 Dec 2017
Team New Zealand stake claim on America's Cup base
Emirates Team New Zealand stake claim on America's Cup base Ten challengers – both tangible and potential – are being taken seriously by Emirates Team New Zealand. But team boss Grant Dalton won't be disappointed if not all “pony up”. Posted on 19 Dec 2017
Am Cup - Lone Wolf close to sell out
Am Cup - Lone Wolf close to sell out "Lone Wolf - How Emirates Team New Zealand Stunned the World" has sold out for copies available directly from the publisher. Copies are still available through some retail outlets - Whitcoulls, Paper Plus and The Warehouse Posted on 15 Dec 2017
StaticLink Pwr Staions 728x90px BOTTOMYoumans Studio old 18 footers 1456x180 BOTTOMCBGTG_summer24_digital_728x90 BOTTOM