This could be THE event

This is the final month of preparation for the ten teams selected to compete in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Representing eight countries, the teams will be given their AC45s on Monday.

The teams are organized with sailors of 19-24 years, all holding passports for the country they represent, with racing to be on September 1-4. Here is what American Youth Sailing Force (USA), the team selected to represent San Francisco, is up to in August:

Most of the team had been in Newport, RI training on two Mastrom 32 catamarans with our new coach, Bill Ward. Bill is the sailing coach at Saint Mary’s college in Maryland and will be returning with The Force to the Bay Area in early August.

Early August is also our last opportunity to fundraise and team members will be spreading the message and gathering support in their hometowns prior to training full-time before the September RBYAC.

Team orientation is now underway through August 12. Following this program, each team will be provided a “branded” AC45 and scheduled practices will commence on the South Bay two days at a time, followed by a day of boat maintenance. This schedule will continue until the 28th of the month.

Comment: I was in San Francisco this week, absorbing the scene and taking some notes of the experience. Click here to read about my field trip. Given the lack of close racing in the America’s Cup challenger series, I spoke to many people looking forward to the youth event. This could be THE event of the AC season. – Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt