Crew revealed for Canada’s AC teams

Concord Green Energy, along with lead sponsors RBC and TELUS, has confirmed the Concord Pacific Racing squad for Canada’s campaign at the 2024 Women’s America’s Cup and Youth America’s Cup, set to take place during the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona, Spain.

Women’s team:
• Isabella Bertold (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Captain)
• Ali Ten Hove (Kingston Yacht Club)
• Maggie Drinkwater (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club)
• Mariah Millen (Royal Canadian Yacht Club)
• Maura Dewey (Royal Victoria Yacht Club)

Youth team:
• Andrew Wood (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Captain)
• Andre Van Dam (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club)
• Jack Gogan (Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron / Northern Yacht Club)
• Galen Richardson (Royal Canadian Yacht Club)
• Georgia Lewin-LaFrance (Chester Yacht Club / Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron)

Georgia Lewin-LaFrance is eligible to represent Concord Pacific Racing in both the Women’s and under-25 Youth categories. The Rolex Canadian Sailor of the year in 2022 and a member of the Canada SailGP Team, Lewin-LaFrance will also represent Canada at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

The team selection was the culmination of a rigorous 14-month selection process that commenced in November 2022, involving over 50 aspiring sailors nationwide. Concord Pacific Group President will be coached by 6-time world champion Chris Nicholson.

“It’s fascinating how simulated sailing advances our sailors’ skills with these incredible machines,” noted Nicholson. “The team has worked really hard on the simulator and in planning. It’s a pleasure to work with such dedicated individuals who are passionate about representing Canada in the America’s Cup. We have a lot to do before the first race day, but these are truly exciting times. I’m very much looking forward to getting out there.”

“I’m incredibly proud to have assembled such a dynamic and passionate group of athletes to represent Canada on the world’s biggest stage in sailing,” said Bertold. “We’ve been fully focused on building the best team possible, not just the best sailors in Canada.

“When it comes to sailing an AC40, it’s like nothing we’ve ever done before. It’s a brand new concept so it comes down to who can pick up concepts quickly, learn and adapt, and at the same time get used to this new style of sailing which is much more like sailing a video game. It’s also about who is a great personality fit, a strong team player and who can be really calm when the boat is flying above the water going incredibly fast.”

The team has now relocated to Barcelona, immersing themselves in the local sailing scene, acclimatizing to the conditions and surveying the race course in preparation for the upcoming regattas.

The Youth regatta starts on September 17 with the final scheduled for September 26. The Women’s regatta starts racing on October 5 with the final to be staged amid the main AC75 America’s Cup racing program on October 13.

The two Canadian teams will compete against Spain, New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, and France.

Details: http://www.concordpacificracing.com/

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period opened December 1, 2021 and runs until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup may be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the venue reveal, confirming it would be Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For more schedule details, click here.
Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Additional details: www.americascup.com/en/home

Source: CPR