Red Bull Youth America's Cup - The Force tied for first

by Vince Casalaina on 4 Sep 2013

The Force - 2013 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Balazs Gardi / Red Bull Content Pool

Following two days of racing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, the American Youth Sailing Force, ‘The Force’, showed they have the skill and coolness under fire needed to win this regatta. Facing an aggressive fleet of international youth sailors, a strong showing in day-two pushed The Force into a tie for first place with New Zealand’s Full Metal Jacket team.

Race one opened up with a scripted start when The Force aimed at the committee boat end of the starting line and crossed right at the gun with good speed and a clear lane to sail in. At the first mark they rounded in first and never looked back. 'It was really great to get a win in the first race. It felt really great for our team and an excellent start to the regatta,' according to skipper, Michael Menninger. 'I think it’s going to be an important confidence builder for us in the coming days.'

Race three proved that a strong start coupled with consistent maneuvers is the key to placing well in these hard fought races. The Force took third place in that race and worked back from a significant deficit in race four to place fifth. Menninger relates, ' We are really happy with our boat speed and the way we are sailing around the racecourse right now. So, we continue to have fun and sail hard.'

Overall, The Force has earned 28 points and has made it clear that you don’t need to win every race to win this regatta.

Racing continues Sept. 3 and 4 with two races each day. There’s plenty of racing to come. All of the international teams competing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Championship know consistency and placing near the top of the fleet will be enough.

*Due to redress, New Zealand is two points American Youth Sailing Force
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/114022

Related Articles

Miracle Northerns at Delph
The joys of Miracle sailing and drifting! With a forecast of minimal/zero wind on the Sunday, Race Officer Graham Clow made a change to the Sailing Instructions, moving the third race of the planned five race series from the Sunday to the Saturday.
Posted today at 1:27 pm Ambrogio Beccaria wins The Transat CIC in Class40
Crossing the line of the historic race at 03:47:55 hrs this morning Italy's Ambrogio Beccaria on his all Italian designed and built Musa 40 Alla Grande Pirelli added the hugely prestigious Transat CIC Class 40 title to his steadily growing collection of solo and short handed ocean racing honours this morning.
Posted today at 8:19 am Is this the slipperiest AC75 boat in the fleet?
There's plenty to suggest American Magic's 'Patriot' is the most refined aerodynamic package so far There's plenty to suggest that American Magic's AC75 'Patriot' is the most refined aerodynamic package so far and if that's the case the team's new machine could be the lowest drag Cup boat out there.
Posted today at 5:11 am Cherub Inlands at Grafham Water
A&E's first outing in her new water-hugging form With some of the fleet busy strapping planks to their feet to fall down a mountain and others in sunnier climes seemingly spending a lot of their time swimming away from the nearest bar, some hardy souls arrived at Grafham Water Sailing Club.
Posted today at 5:05 am Marina Portoroz Melges 24 Regatta preview
Melges 24 European Sailing Series event to set sail on Friday It's that time of the year again when Portoroz beckons the international Melges 24 fleet as the Melges 24 European Sailing Series 2024 makes its next stop in this picturesque Slovenian coastal town.
Posted on 9 May The 5 Minute Warning
Andy Rice & Matt Sheahan's 5min racing update PlanetSail's Matt Sheahan catches up with Sailjuice's Andy Rice who's reporting from the South of France. Andy's at the last big regatta for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 classes before the Olympic Games just over a couple of months from now.
Posted on 9 May 44Cup Baiona Day 1
Strong start in light conditions From some way out the opening day of the 44Cup Baiona, the second event of the 2024 circuit for the high performance owner-driver RC44 one designs, was looking light.
Posted on 9 May The Transat CIC Update
Ambrogio Beccaria has Class 40 finish line and victory 'in sight' With less than 140 miles to go to the finish line of the Transat CIC solo race across the North Atlantic from Lorient to New York Italy's Ambrogio Beccaria appears to have dealt with the last weather hurdle earlier today.
Posted on 9 May 49er & 49er FX Europeans & Nacra 17 Worlds Day 3
Lighter breeze launches young Germans up the FX rankings A drop in wind strength brought huge changes to the 49erFX leaderboard on day three of the European Championship in La Grande Motte in the South of France.
Posted on 9 May 470 Europeans at Cannes Day 3
While racing did get underway in light winds, the breeze then dropped to nothing While racing did get underway in light winds, with a full lap completed, the breeze then dropped to nothing, resulting in the race being abandoned. Unfortunately that was it for the day and the fleet were sent ashore.
Posted on 9 May