Red Bull Youth America's Cup - Objective Australia left to lament

by Simon Reffold on 6 Sep 2013 Following four days of intense competition, the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup has been run and won on San Francisco Bay. On Wednesday September 4, the New Zealand Sailing Team won the inaugural title from Full Metal Jacket (NZL) and the ROFF/Cascais Sailing (POR).

Objective Australia’s team of eight sailors aged 21-24 finished seventh overall after repeated failures with regatta supplied equipment. The team’s average finishing position for the races that were sailed without failure was 3.25 (Second, second, third and sixth) and the Australian Team believe that those results are a truer refection of their potential than their final position on the leaderboard.

Last night, Objective Australia’s request for redress was denied, however two promising seconds, in races five and six had kept the Australians in with a chance of a podium finish.

After a solid third place in the seventh race, the sea breeze pushed over the 20 knot wind limit and the eighth and final race for double points was cancelled.

Jason Waterhouse, the 22 year-old skipper who led the charge from Down Under was upbeat despite the team’s apparent misfortune.

'The experience and respect we gained at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup has stirred the whole team to strive to reach the highest levels of our sport. Be it to represent our country at the 2016 Olympics, the World Championships or the next America’s Cup.

'It has been an absolute privilege to represent Australia sailing these incredible yachts and to bring the Australian flag back to the America’s Cup arena almost 30 years to the day since the historic win by Australia II. These are days we will never forget' added Waterhouse.

Team Principal, Tony Walls, who backed the Australian campaign for the inaugural Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, said 'As an Australian, you have to be very proud of the effort and professionalism shown by the entire Objective Australia team on the world stage'.

'The team’s performance under the leadership of their coach Traks Gordon to achieve the results that they did with the obvious ongoing challenges, showed great tenacity and maturity beyond their years. They are outstanding role models for all young Australians and great ambassadors for our nation'.

Objective Australia:

Jason Waterhouse, 22 – Newport NSW
Tom Burton, 23 – Baulkham Hills, NSW
Keiran Searle, 23 – Lismore, NSW
Ted Hackney, 23 – Randwick NSW
Josh McKnight, 22 – Sydney, NSW
Luke Parkinson, 23 – Subiaco, WA
James Wierzbowski, 21 – Melbourne, Vic
Jasper 'Fang' Warren, 24 – Albany, WA

Red Bull Youth America’s Cup standings:

1. NZL Sailing Team with Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL) 2-RDG-7-3-1-1-4 – 57 points
2. Full Metal Jacket Racing (NZL) 7-1-4-6-6-3-5 – 45 points
3. ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team (POR) 3-6-1-8-8-5-2 – 44 points
4. Team TILT (SUI) 8-5-2-2-9-7-1 – 43 points
5. American Youth Sailing Force (USA) 1-7-3-5-7-4-8 – 42 points
6. Swedish Youth Challenge (SWE) 6-2-9-1-4-6-10 – 39 points
7. Objective Australia (AUS) RDG-10-6-10-2-2-3 – 38 points
8. Next World Energy (FRA) 4-4-8-4-5-9-6 – 37 points
9. All In Racing (GER) 5-8-5-9-3-8-9 – 30 points
10. USA45 Racing (USA) 9-9-10-7-10-10-7 – 15 points
(RDG = redress awarded by International Event website