Kaenon Polarized announces 'Road to the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup'

by Sail-World on 9 May 2013
Kaenon Polarized, the Newport Beach-based performance and lifestyle sunglass brand, and proud supporter of sailing, and youth sailing specifically, has announced the launch of the 'Road to the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.'

The social media campaign following three very talented young sailors is now live on www.kaenon.com/2013/sailing

Kaenon’s 'Road to the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup' will focus on the journey of Olympic Silver Medalist Pete Burling and World Match Racing Tour skipper Will Tiller – both from New Zealand – and US Sailing Team member Charlie Buckingham, as each leads their teams in the inaugural Youth America’s Cup.

For the first time in the history of the premier trophy in sailing, young, talented sailors have a clear pathway towards competing in the America's Cup Regatta.

The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will be sailed in AC45's, the 45ft wingsailed catamaran used in the America's Cup World Series. The new regatta opens the door for young sailors to gain the experience they need to become part of a Cup team and compete in one of the world’s most prestigious sailing competitions.

From now until the culminating event at the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in September, www.kaenon.com will be following three of the sports up-and-coming stars, as they travel around the world regattas preparing for the big event in San Francisco this summer.

Charlie Buckingham: (Newport Beach, CA) grew up surfing and sailing. Coming from a family rich in sailing history, he eventually found himself graduated from Georgetown University as one of the most decorated collegiate sailors of all time. Now he’s on a mission to win Olympic Gold in the single-handed Laser class.

'Family influence and accessibility to the ocean drew me to water sports from an early age. Surfing became a creative outlet for me, but sailing fueled my competitive fire.' – Charlie Buckingham.

Peter Burling: (Tauranga NZL) Though only 20 years old Burling is a seasoned competitor who began winning at an early age from his home country of New Zealand. His outstanding sailing skill ensured that he became part of the youngest crew to sail at the Olympics, achieving the feat at just 16 years of age, with a skipper just 17 years old.

Sailing in his second Olympics in 2012, Burling won the Silver medal in the Mens Skiff (49er). He then joined Team Korea to sail in the America's Cup World Series regatta in San Francisco in 2012.

'After the buzz of returning to NZ with an Olympic medal, it was awesome to get the call up to helm the AC45, which are such physical boats. It is a very steep learning curve,' Burling said.

Will Tiller:(Auckland, NZL) grew up sailing but actively pursued other sports concurrently. When things didn’t pan out in other areas, he realized his true passion is sailing and through hard work and dedication Will has quickly made a name for himself as he secured a victory in the 2012 World Match Racing Circuit.

'When I failed in my pursuit of the youth worlds in the Laser class I had a stint away from the sport as the lure of college rugby took precedence. After figuring out I wasn’t the physical specimen I believed myself to be, it was back to sailing,' Tiller explained.

On www.kaenon.com/2013/sailing these young sailors will tell what it takes to become the world’s best. as they compete in the top sailing circuits. Then in San Francisco, this August, they will try to win the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

Developed by sailors, Kaenon has continued, since 2001, to provide unmatched optics and performance-ready, lifestyle frames, all with superior fit and luxurious style. With proprietary and revolutionary SR-91 polarized lenses, Kaenons are worn by many of the world's top sailors, sailing the the sports top regattas.

Kaenon continues to push the boundaries of active optics with award-winning, prescription-ready sunglass styles and lifestyle inspired optical frames designed in California and made in Italy.