Up to 20 teams for Youth America’s Cup

Following the December 2019 announcement for the 2020-21 Youth America’s Cup, Jack Griffin of Cup Experience provides this update on the third edition of this competition:

A new foiling AC9F monohull will be used for the Youth America’s Cup. The rules for the event call for mixed crews of four sailors – two women and two men – age 18-24. Teams will represent yacht clubs. At least three of the sailors must be nationals of the country of the yacht club.

The first yacht will launch in February 2020 with training to start in Spring. There will be a fleet racing qualifying event in China in November 2020 – exact venue and dates to be announced by the end of February 2020.

Up to 20 teams will qualify for a match racing elimination series in Auckland in February 2021, during the Prada Cup. The top ten teams will advance to the final round to be held during the America’s Cup Match on March 8-12, 2021.

Seven yachts will be built, allowing three flights of two to race with a spare boat. The AC9F has been designed and built by YDL Yachting Developments of Auckland, owned by Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron commodore Ian Cook. RNZYS and ETNZ will partner with China Sports Industry Group to run the Youth AC.

An initial entry period for yacht clubs and youth crews is open from December 12 through to February 29, 2020. The entry protocol is intentionally very similar to the America’s Cup Challenger series and match (click here). For a Notice of Race … click here.

Expressions of interest can be sent to challenger@youthamericascup.com

More Youth America’s Cup information can be found online at www.youthamericascup.com