Youth sailors put on Stadium Sailing at the America's Cup

by Nevin Sayre on 24 Jun 2017 With the backdrop of America’s Cup, thirty-two O’pen BIC sailors, ages ten to fifteen, participated in the America’s Cup Endeavour O’pen.

The kids and parents represented ten different nations from around the world, and hailed the event as the “experience of a life time”. The first two days saw spectacular “Un-Regatta” style racing with required freestyle moves, unique course obstacles, and tight courses. Several reaching, America’s Cup style starts tested the sailors, and made for very close action.

Bryce Tone, from Sarasota Florida, edged out Leo Beyer of Germany and local Bermudian O’pen BIC star, Aiden Lopes, to take first place. Olga Fregni of Italy was fourth, followed by Hawaiian, Marcos Baez.

The biggest action, however, was Saturday between Race One and Race Two of the America’s Cup Finals. After the O’pen BIC “Dock Out Show” on the big stage, the kids raced the “Half Time Show” in front of thousands of cheering spectators. To kick off this quick, eight-minute race, a reaching start brought the O’pen BICs within a few boat lengths of the AC Grand Stands. After a short reach and upwind leg, the sailors slalomed downwind around jibe marks.

Along the way, required capsizes, stand up sailing, and tight mark roundings led to exciting racing. The grand finale was the “Bridge of Doom.” In order to cross beneath, sailors had to heel over enough to clear their masts, without capsizing. Marcos Baez from Hawaii Kai Boat Club led the fleet through the finish, but all thirty-two O’pen BIC sailors brought the spectators to a roar with their impressive show of boathandling.

In their encore, O’pen BIC sailors took to the water again in front of the Grand Stands, Sunday, just before Race 3 of the America’s Cup Finals. This time they put on an O’pen BIC Freestyle Exhibition, and delighted the crowds with all kinds of boat handling skills, creative balancing acts, and spectacular dismounts.

The O’pen BIC sailors unlocked new heights of stoke by adding elements of windsurfing, skateboarding, snowboarding to junior sailing. As the incredible AC 50 foiling catamarans showcased the future of stadium sailing, the O’pen BIC sailors demonstrated Saturday and Sunday what is possible in junior sailing.

Check out Youtube for a brief synopsis of the America’s Cup O’pen BIC Half Time Show