Red Bull Youth America’s Cup: a challenging start in light airs for Team Tilt

The young Swiss team, in Group A, raced three qualifying rounds on Bermuda’s Great Sound on Thursday, but light airs meant no foiling for the six competing teams on the AC45 catamarans. Team Tilt posted two fifth places before scoring a vindicating second place to finish fourth overall going into day two today.

Team Tilt’s opening day at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup qualifiers was dogged by 7-11 knot light airs preventing any flying for the six foiling catamarans in Group A. It was a challenging first day for the young Swiss team, with two fifth places followed by a glorious second place in the final race of the day that left them fourth overall at the close of day one, with few points separating the competitors (see ranking below). The top four teams of each group will qualify for the finals on the 20 and 21 June at which time the points are reset to zero. Team Tilt have not yet shown their full potential, so there is everything to play for on day two of the competition!

The young crew, led by Sebastien Schneiter, had illustrious support on the water with two-time America’s Cup Defender, Ernesto Bertarelli, cheering them on during the racing. In the end, the Swedes carried the day with 28 points, ahead of the French on 26 points and the Germans on 24 points. The final three rounds of the qualifiers are expected to get under way today at 1900CET (1400BDA).
Sébastien Schneiter, Team Tilt skipper: It was not a good day for us, we performed below our expectations and our level, but we remain in the game and there is everything still to play for! We were not sharp enough with our choices, but we are already looking ahead at day two and how we can improve, we need to fix our decision-making on the race course.

Tanguy Cariou, sports director: In terms of results, the balance sheet is negative. The format of the racing is aggressive, the legs are short, it’s tough and each team’s challenges are immediately apparent. Our on-board communication was not good, we will correct that for Friday’s racing and start as we mean to go on! This second day of qualifiers is decisive.

Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, qualifiers Group A – results: 
Total points, race 1, race 2, race 3*       
1. SWE - 28  - 8 10 10
2. FRA - 26 - 10 8 8
3. GER - 24 - 9 9 6
4. SUI - 21 -  6 6 9
5. DEN - 19 - 5 7 7
6. JPN - 17 - 7 5 5
*the winner takes 10 points, second place takes 9 points, etc.