America’s Cup: Australia buoyed by big practice wins, youth regatta favourites, dates, how it works

They are normally fierce sporting rivals but an informal alliance has been forged in the waters off Barcelona as Australia prepares for the Youth America’s Cup. Regatta guide, how it works

Andoo Australia racing on a practice day of the UniCredit Youth America's Cup. Picture: Supplied

They are normally the fiercest of sporting rivals but an informal alliance has been forged in the waters off Barcelona as Australia prepares for the Youth America’s Cup - with some help from New Zealand.

The Andoo Australia crew enters the Youth America’s Cup this week on a high from two big practice wins and armed with crucial knowledge on how to eek record speeds out of their foiling AC40.

The Youth regatta kicks off late Tuesday night Australian time with the Australians hitting the water for the first time 24 hours later.

In an encouraging sign, helmsmen Jack Ferguson and Cole Tapper and trimmers Max Paul and Tom Needham raced away with two big wins in practice racing in the best indication to date of their form in the super-fast, super-skittish foiling AC40.

Australia was paired with New Zealand for the pre-event so they could get much-needed time on the water in the foiling boats being raced at the Youth regatta but in short supply for invited teams like Australia.

Woo Hoo 👏 Australia killing it in practice racing 1 at the Youth @americascup
Practice Race 1
1.AUS 🇦🇺
2.NED 🇳🇱
3.SWE 🇸🇪
4.GER 🇩🇪
DNFESP 🇪🇸
DSQCAN 🇨🇦

Practice Race 2
1.AUS 🇦🇺
2.ESP 🇪🇸
3.SWE 🇸🇪
4.CAN 🇨🇦
5.NED 🇳🇱
DSQGER 🇩🇪

— amanda lulham (@amandalulham) September 14, 2024

These two crews have shared friendships and worked together well to maximise their time in the water ahead of the regatta.

Needham said while the New Zealanders didn’t give away any trade secrets about their boat, they provided great handling tips and insight to the Aussies which is crucial to prevent the shared boat being damaged during the training or racing.

“Two wins in the first two (practice) races, we have to be pretty happy with that. It’s huge,” Needham told News Corp from Barcelona after jumping into a chase boat to return to shore.

“The racing was really exciting despite it being quite gusty and shifty.

The Australian’s training off Barcelona.

“Our time with the Kiwis was really valuable. We had a bit of an informal alliance.

“Being able to watch what they did and learn from them was really valuable.

“There were certain amounts they didn’t want to want to share with us, but there were still very helpful.

“We know a lot of them, whether it’s from 49er sailing or working on the SailGP and things like that. We pretty much know everyone in this squad.”

The Australians will watch the challenger teams in the Youth regatta first before launching the campaign from the invited team pool the next day.

HOW THE AMERICA’S CUP YOUTH REGATTA WORKS

The fleet of 12 has been split between the six invited teams and the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup teams.

Eight fleet races will be contested by each group with the top three from both pools then moving to the semi-finals on September 22.

This one-day semi-final format will see four races run to determine the top two boats to advance into the match-racing finale.

This will take place on the opening day of the Louis Vuitton Cup final series and will be a winner-take-all-race.

September 11, 2024. UniCredit Youth America's Cup, Free Practice Day.

HOW THE AC40 WORKS

It’s 40-foot long and super fast.

The AC40 is raced by four - two on the helm and two trimmers sitting in tight pods.

It has self tacking headsails and autopilot control system, on board electrical systems which control things such as foil arms, flight stability and sail control.

The AC 40 weight two tonne and can reach speech of around 45 knots.

FAVOURITES FOR THE AMERICA’S CUP YOUTH REGATTA

As they have had more time in the AC40s and are all connected to well funded Challengers (Italy, USA, Switzerland, Great Britain, France or defenders (New Zealand), this is the pool likely to produce the Youth winner.

WHO AUSSIES MUST BEAT IN AMERICA’S CUP YOUTH REGATTA

Australia is part of the Invited teams pool which also contains Sweden, Netherlands, Germany, Canada and Spain.

Australia’s reputation as a serious contenders increased with their performance in the practice racing.

But more of their preparation has been done on a video simulator.

Sweden, however, is the team which has spent the most time on the AC40s in the lead-up to the Youth Regatta.

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