America’s Cup: Australian youth team studying Challenger rivals in chase for winning edge

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but Australian sailors are relying on it giving them an extra edge at the America’s Cup youth regatta in Barcelona.

Andoo Australia AC40 at the Youth America's Cup in Barcelona. Picture: Ricardo Pinto/America's Cup

As the rising stars of America’s Cup Challenger teams battle it out on the water, Australia’s youth crew are monitoring their every move and manoeuvre in a chill out room at their apartment as they work on ways to charge into the semi-finals at high sped.

After a long wait, the Andoo Australian youth sailors were poised to hit the waters off Barcelona late Friday AEST in the first fleet racing of the Invited fleet at the youth regatta.

This racing will help determine the three crews to go into the semi finals of the event against top crews from the Challenger side of the draw.

These teams, all connected to America’s Cup challenges or the New Zealand defender, have had significantly more time on the water in the AC40 foiling boats being raced in the Youth Regatta.

The Australians and fellow invited teams have predominantly prepared on computer simulators - in the Aussies case in an business office in a block in Alexandria near Sydney airport.

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Youth Team look to be the exam to beat in Barcelona. Picture: America’s Cup

And while three on-water practice race wins has shown this new way of preparing has benefits, the Australians are lapping up any intel they can by watching footage of the Challenger teams of Italy, the US, Great Britain, France, Switzerland and New Zealand.

“We are just watching everything as closely as we can and breaking apart the racing and manoeuvres,’’ said Jack Ferguson, a 49er skiff sailor from Sydney on the starboard helm of the Australian AC40 shared with New Zealand.

“We have a large chill out room where we sit on couches and gather.

“A few of us like to watch together and a few do it on their own.

“We are just doing our home work off the live stream.

“Me, I just click the button back and pause and see each manoeuvres and each decision made. It’s good.’’

The British and New Zealand youth teams. Picture: America’s Cup.

Ferguson said learnings surround tactical decisions, the location and timing of manoeuvres and how crews are foiling or tackling through rough sea state.

To date the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Italian exam have been the standouts of the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup.

They lead the Challenger racing after a second day of testing condition and boat issues for the NYYC American Magic and Orient Express L’Oreal French Racing Team.

Luna Rossa’s two victories on Thursday has extended their lead at the top of the Group A leaders board to 12 points ahead of NYYC American Magic and Great Britain’s Athena Pathway.

There are still four more fleet races for the Group A teams after Australia and fellow invited

teams kick off their regatta.

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Originally published as America’s Cup: Australian youth team studying Challenger rivals in chase for winning edge