While the spin-doctors, legal guns and marketing folk continue to have their way with the America’s Cup proper, the young sailors onboard the ? Youth America’s Cup catamarans are putting on a display of enthusiasm and awesome sailing.
Youth America’s Cup Racing Sept 3, Portugal and Sweden. Photo by ACEA / PHOTO GILLES MARTIN-RAGET
Going into the last day, the New Zealand Sailing Team with Emirates Team New Zealand has forged a lead of 11 points. The other New Zealand team, Full Metal Jacket Racing, is in a virtual tie with the American Youth Sailing Force and Swedish Youth Challenge. Several other teams trail closely, and with two races scheduled, many things could shift. The fleet racing has delivered close results and plenty of action. While often the leader at the first mark goes on to win, place changes within the fleet are frequent.
The International Jury decision is in response to illegal boat alterations during last year’s America’s Cup AC 45 series, and has nothing to do with the AC72s that are set to start the America’s Cup this weekend. A penalty of two points has been applied to Oracle Racing in the Cup match, effectively requiring them to to win two more races to successfully defend the Cup. Three team members directly involved in the tampering have been banned from further participation in this year’s Cup racing.
For more information on all things America’s Cup, visit www.americascup.com.
Northwest Yachting’s Bruce Hedrick is on site in San Francisco and we’ll be hearing from him.
