Dear ladies, gentlemen and friends,
With just three days to go to the much-anticipated Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco (1-4 September), we invite you into the heart of Team Tilt to learn more about their daily routine and to hear the sailors impressions in the final lead up to the competition.
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The team is ready to race
Alex Schneiter takes us through the team’s daily routine
The team is ready to race
Team Tilt has been training on San Francisco Bay for three weeks alongside their nine rivals for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup and with just three days to go to the start of the event, the team skippered by Lucien Cujean, is in good shape and ready to race.
“During the training sessions, we focussed on our starts and boat handling and our tactics and strategy have also improved,” said Cujean. “We were eight sailors for the practice, but only six will race.”
“We have had perfect sailing conditions,” added Lionel Vaucher. “Everything has gone well in our preparations for D-Day – now it is up to us!”
The Team Tilt coaches, physical trainers, shore crew and support staff have all arrived in San Francisco now to complete the team ahead of the event. “We are ready to race,” said Lucien. “And of course are incredibly grateful for the opportunity that we have been given. The whole team has worked very hard to make this happen and it is thanks to that effort and the sponsors’ support that we feel ready for the start signal.”
Ten teams from eight different countries, including Switzerland, Australia, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, New Zealand and America, will be competing for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup – with the USA and New Zealand fielding two teams each.
Alex Schneiter takes us through the team’s daily routine
Team leader Alex Schneiter spent a week with the team in San Francisco in August so he is well placed to give some insight on their daily routine:
“Their days are very full. They wake up at 06:30 every morning and cycle to Pier 30 where the boat is moored and race from 09:30 until 11:00 against the other teams. Their afternoons are dedicated to working on the boat ashore and physical training with their coach Johann Ferré.
“With such a busy routine they are starting to get a bit tired, but the atmosphere within the team is excellent and that is the important thing!
“They are living in a fabulous house close to a park and have an excellent cook. The level of the other teams is very high, but everything is going to plan for Team Tilt – we are confident. Bryan Mettraux who joined the team at the beginning of August has found his feet and contributes a lot to the group.”