Andoo Team Australia led from start to finish to win the last race of the UniCredit Youth Cup semi-final, but missed a spot in the two-boat final.
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The Andoo Team Australia youth crew finished their America’s Cup UniCredit Youth campaign today in Barcelona with a cracking final race to lead start to finish against the five other nations, but it was not enough in the four-race semi-final to make it the two boat final later this week.
The Andoo TeamAustralia youth squad, led by Skipper Cole Tapper, with co-helm Jack Ferguson and trimmers Max Paul and Tom Needham did themselves proud with incredible speed and a never give up attitude. Applying the pressure from the start, the team attracted some penalties in the earlier races, the first in their whole campaign, which confounded their ability to make top spots.
The top two teams from the semi-final to race off in a Match Race on 26 September are both Group A nations attached to the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup teams Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Italy and NYYC American Magic USA securing the semi-final spots.
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Andoo Team Australia, having finished 5th on the Youth event, has attracted plenty of attention and support in Barcelona for their brave campaign and expert sailing and placed as the highest team in the whole competition that has not had their own boat for practice.
“Today we went out and we knew we would have to push as hard as we can. Although we are not quite where we dreamed to be, to be part of this competition among some amazing youth sailors has been really special,” Tapper said.
Speaking about their competitive position in a fleet with their own boats Tapper said “when we put it together like the last race, anyone could have won it”.
The America’s Cup schedule will soon move to the Puig Women’s America’s Cup with a training program next week and racing starting on 5 October.
The Andoo Team Australia campaign is supported by Title sponsor Andoo, Platinum sponsor Myer and Gold Sponsors, ExpenseMe and Ray White Commercial (RWC). Official suppliers to the campaign are Musto, Bolle, News Corp and SailorGirlHQ | Sunset Media.
The club of record for Australia is the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA).
Racing is being broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo Freebies in Australia.
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