Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth and Women's America's Cup selections announced
Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth and Women's America's Cup selections announced
After starting with 69 Swiss candidates now 20 – nine women and 11 men – are a step closer to the Youth America's Cup and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup competitions
After three rounds of Swiss Qualifiers over the last few weeks, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing selection committee has narrowed the pool down to 20 candidates for the final phase to be held in Barcelona this autumn.
From the 69 candidates selected for the three qualifying rounds in Switzerland over the summer, Alinghi Red Bull Racing has selected 20 Swiss sailors to take part in the final Youth & Women’s America’s Cup teams’ selection phase scheduled for the autumn in Barcelona.
“It wasn't an easy choice for us,” said coach and selection committee member Matías Bühler. We really enjoyed meeting the 69 sailors who represented a mix of talent and youth. We're well aware of the opportunity that the Youth & Women's America's Cup represents for those selected.”
“It wasn't an easy choice for us. We really enjoyed meeting the 69 sailors, who represented a mix of talent and youth. We're well aware of the opportunity that the Youth & Women's America's Cup represents for those selected.
“We looked at them from four different angles to assess each profile as fairly as possible. We pooled our analyses, our feelings and the results of the tests and the sailing to define the final choice together.
"I'm now looking forward to having them here with us and seeing how they develop. They will discover the world of sailing from a new angle. They'll get a taste of the America's Cup from the inside by meeting the team. It will be interesting to see them in a Cup atmosphere.”
Five of the current Swiss America’s Cup team were originally members of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup teams in 2013 and 2017, illustrating the obvious springboard that these regattas represent.
Nine women — four of whom are eligible for the Youth team — and 11 men will travel to Barcelona in October for various selection events that will include an assessment of the candidates sailing and ashore in competition mode.
It will also be a chance for them to meet members of the team and to discover the world of the America’s Cup. At the end of the final selection phase, six women and six youth sailors will be selected for the Youth & America’s Cup teams.
"Our objective is to find twelve athletes who will show total commitment to winning," explained Hans-Peter Steinacher, double Olympic medallist, and member of the selection committee. "Some of the candidates will also be preparing for the Olympics. My advice, for these candidates as for all sailors, is to spend as much time as possible foiling. Whatever the platform, it's the best way to progress.”
“Being able to be on the boats with the candidates in Switzerland was the most important thing for me, despite the few capsizes which showed that they were pushing hard! We quickly spotted those with experience in foiling as well as those with talent.
“We also gave a chance to those who have been working on projects at the highest level for several years, as they have proved that they know how to work hard. That's what we're looking for: six women and six youth sailors who are ready to give it their all for a year with the aim of winning.
“We are, however, aware of the timing of the Olympic Games, which is not a problem for us and which we see as a complementary programme.
“Whether they are selected for Phase 3 or not, my recommendation to all candidates is to foil as much as possible on all platforms. It's a completely different way of sailing. I'm really looking forward to seeing how the shortlisted candidates develop in the space of a few months.”
Candidates selected for Phase 3
Representing all the regions of Switzerland the 20 sailors have very different backgrounds, from solo sailing to Olympic sailing, and ocean racing to foiling.
Women
Nathalie Brugger, 25.12.1985, Gstaad Yacht Club / CV Estavayer / CN Morges
Anja Camusso*, 20.05.2002, YCAs / SNNY
Maud Jayet, 03.04.1996, Société Nautique de Genève
Marie Mazuay*, 21.05.2005, Club Nautique Versoix / Société Nautique de Genève
Elodie-Jane Mettraux, 07.11.1984, COYCH Hyères
Laurane Mettraux, 03.08.1992, Club Nautique de Versoix
Maja Siegenthaler, 11.11.1992, Thunersee-Yachtclub
Alexandra Stalder*, 12.07.1999, Circolo Vela Torbole
Anja von Allmen*, 23.05.2003, Gstaad Yacht Club / Regatta CLub Oberhofen / Yacht Club Spiez
*Eligible for the Youth America's Cup
Youth
Andrea Aschieri, 30.11.2003, Société Nautique de Nyon
Arno de Planta, 12.03.1999, Société Nautique de Genève / Cercle de la Voile de Vidy
Arnaud Grange, 21.09.2002, Société Nautique de Genève
Morgan Lauber, 01.12.1999, Club Nautique Morges
Janik Müller, 26.02.2003, DRCS / SCR
Joshua Richner, 05.04.2002, Gstaad Yacht Club / Thunersee-Yachtclub
Nilo Schärer, 22.04.2003, Thunersee-Yachtclub / Gstaad Yacht Club / Regatta Club Oberhofen
Jann Schüpbach, 04.12.2000, Thunersee Yachtclub / Regattaclub Oberhofen
Matthieu Sistek, 21.03.2001, Club Nautique de Lutry
Gauthier Verhulst, 04.10.2001, Gstaad Yacht Club / Club Nautique Pully
Nick Zeltner, 15.07.2001, Regatta Club Oberhofen