Australia II skipper John Bertrand backing Australian women’s, youth America's Cup teams
The man who helped orchestrate one of Australia’s greatest sporting victories has thrown his weight behind a women’s and youth team returning Australia to America’s Cup waters.
Australia II skipper John Bertrand is back in the America’s Cup game to help navigate a women’s and youth crew in what he believes could be the first step into a full return to the famous regatta by Australia.
Four decades after the winged-keeled Australia II ended the longest winning streak in world sport with its defeat of the US yacht Liberty, two Australian crews will be looking to make their own mark on hi-tech, super fast foiling 40-foot monohulls - scaled-down versions of the AC 75s.
And Bertrand will be part of their journey as patron of the campaign along with Andoo Comanche supermaxi skipper and Winning Appliances boss John “Herman” Winning.
“This is a fabulous opportunity for women in youth, it’s a breakthrough,’’ Bertrand said.
“There is potential for this to kick start an America’s Cup campaign. This is highly probable. This is a road map going forward for that.
“For any woman or youth involved, this will be the opportunity of a lifetime.’’
The top speed of the racing machines - equipped with twin canting T foils, twin, wheels and cockpits and a battery system powering grinders - is around 45 knots (80km/h).
The women’s America’s Cup will be held for the first time in Barcelona in 2024 parallel to the 37th America’s Cup and be contested by 12 teams. The Australian crew headed by London Olympic silver medallists Olivia Price and Nina Curtis.
Also running will be the youth America’s Cup, the third time this event has been held and which will held during the Challenger selection series for the America’s Cup next year.
Bertrand said he will be part of helping Australia build their teams for the event.
“I’ve been involved in five America’s Cup campaigns over for 25 years so I have a bit of understanding of the nuances and politics,’’ he said.
“I’ve been a chairman of selectors for Australian Olympic team and I’ve had a lot of experience helping build high-performance teams.’’
The New York Yacht Club successfully defended the Auld Mug 24 times consecutively before being beaten by Australia II to end the 132 year reign of the Americans - the longest winning streak in world sport.
“Australia have a very special place in the America’s Cup having been the country that broke the longest winning streak in international sport, winning the America’s Cup in 1983. So, to have them rebuilding through the Youth and Women’s America’s Cup regattas after a long absence is particularly pleasing given the intention is creating pathways via the AC40 for the next generation of America’s Cup sailors,” said America’s Cup Event CEO Grant Dalton.
“To have our women and youth represented in the America’s Cup is a new era. We have a challenge here of national importance,” Bertrand said.
To prepare for the racing Australian sailors will have access to the teams own AC40 simulators.
The Team Australia Challenge are now asking for expressions of interest from women and youth sailors interested in joining the crews.
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