Land Rover BAR win youth cup
Land Rover BAR Academy of Great Britain celebrates after winning the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup finals on June 21, 2017 in Hamilton, Bermuda Photo: Xaume Olleros for Red Bull Content Pool
Britain’s youth America’s Cup sailors from the Land Rover BAR Academy have been crowned the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Champions in Bermuda.
The British entry completed 12 races against 12 other nations on Bermuda’s Great Sound to take the title – six initial qualifying races and six in the finals – and finished the event with 50 points. Those 50 points were just two points ahead of second placed New Zealand Sailing Team (48 points) and eight points ahead of Switzerland’s Team Tilt (42 points).
The victory came down to a nail biting finale in the final race of the event.
Land Rover BAR launched the Land Rover BAR Academy in January 2016, to support talented young British sailors, and create a structured pathway into the America’s Cup.
22-year-old Neil Hunter was an initial example of success, promoted from junior to senior team, becoming not only the youngest sailor to compete in the America’s Cup but the only sailor to compete in both competitions.
The British entry is also made up of some of the country’s top sailing talent, aged between 19-24 years old and led by Skipper Rob Bunce. 23-year-old Strategist, Annabel Vose, was the only female crew member to compete in the Youth Cup.
Red Bull Youth America’s Cup squad:
Skipper, Rob Bunce
Helm, Chris Taylor
Strategist, Annabel Vose
Main Trimmer, Elliot Hanson
Jib Trimmer, Sam Batten
Bow, Neil Hunter
Substitute, Adam Kay
Land Rover BAR Academy Support team:
Rob Andrews
Andrew Walsh
Matt Adams
Jono Macbeth
Tim Carter
Red Bull Youth America’s Cup overall results:
Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR), 50 points
NZL Sailing Team (NZL), 48
Team Tilt (SUI), 42
Artemis Youth Racing (SWE), 37
Team France Jeune (FRA), 35
Spanish Impulse Team (ESP), 34
SVB Team Germany (GER), 33
Team BDA (BDA), 33
red-bull-youth.americascup.com
