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.
Coach and selection committee member Matías Bühler looks back at the candidates selected for Phase 3: “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.”
After all, five of the current Swiss America’s Cup team were 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.”
The list of candidates selected for Phase 3 is available below. Representing all the regions of Switzerland the sailors have very different backgrounds, from solo sailing to Olympic sailing, and ocean racing to foiling. We look forward to seeing them all in Barcelona in October for the final selection stage.
