TWO RNZYS TEAMS FOR YOUTH AC
The Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS) will enter two teams into next year’s Youth America’s Cup in Auckland. RNZYS initially received 88 applications for one team. This was reduced to 17 and then 12 but it was clear there was an overwhelming abundance of young female and male talent within the squad, making the selection process impossible. Instead, RNZYS has elected to enter two very strong teams.
Says RNZYS Commodore Ian Cook: “It’s not a bad problem to have. There is no A or B team and we’re really happy with the result.”
Nearly all of the selected sailors have come through the RNZYS Mastercard Youth Training Programme and RNZYS Performance Programme. The two teams each include four starting sailors plus a reserve male and female. The teams are as follows:
RNZYS Youth America’s Cup – BLUE Starters: Nick Egnot-johnson, Charlotte Porter, Alistair Gifford, Celia Willison
Reserves: Zak Merton, TBC*
RNZYS Youth America’s Cup – WHITE Starters: Leonard Takahashi, Megan Thomson, Josh Wijohn, Crystal Sun
Reserves: Taylor Balogh, TBC*
*The female reserve for each team is still to be confirmed.
RNZYS skippers Nick Egnotjohnson (left) and Leonard Takahashi.
The Youth America’s Cup is scheduled for February/march. All racing will take place in the inner harbour – a great opportunity for spectators and fans to witness the action.
The RNZYS has received 18 confirmed entries – 15 of these are international. Collectively they are set to bring in over 250 people to New Zealand, all of whom will be staying for several months which will have a significantly positive impact on the economy.
The first AC9F yacht has been designed and built in New Zealand through a collaboration between Yachting Developments and the NZ Marine Industry, including Southern Spars, Harken and North Sails.