Sail Team BCN seals its place in the semi-finals of the youth America’s Cup with a great victory

September 23, 2024 – Sail Team BCN has today sealed its passport to the semi-finals of the youth America’s Cup after closing the last day of the qualifying phase with a victory and a second place in the last two races of the first round.

The local team has had a spectacular day, effectively overcoming the technical difficulties that the sailboat they have competed with from the first day of competition has shown and showing remarkable maturity to perform at the highest level in the decisive moments.

Martín Wizner, starboard skipper of Sail Team BCN, summed up the great feelings of the team. “The best thing is being able to enjoy the boat for one more day because it is an amazing boat, now we are looking forward to facing the big teams and seeing what the highest level is like in this type of sailing. We are looking forward to having them close, competing and comparing ourselves with them.”

For his part, Jaime Framis, starboard trimmer, acknowledged the desire they have to face the semi-finals. “It was a good day, but our goal from the start was to be in the top three to make it to the semi-finals and compare ourselves a bit with the big teams, who we know are way ahead of us from the information they have had access to and the hours they have had on the boat. Obviously we are competitive and we will always want to win, but being realistic, I think we have done a good job so far and from tomorrow onwards everything that comes will be welcome and we have to enjoy it to the fullest.”

After today’s great result, Sail Team BCN has finished the qualifying phase in second place in Pool B, behind Sweden and ahead of Australia. These three invited teams will face Luna Rossa, American Magic and Athena Pathway (Ineos Britannia) in the semi-finals, which have been the three qualified from Pool A (affiliates of the big America’s Cup challenges).

The format of the semi-finals determines four fleet races between these six qualified teams, all of which are scheduled to be contested tomorrow Tuesday. At the end of these four races, the top two finishers will face each other in the grand final of the Junior America’s Cup, which will be held on Thursday, wind permitting, in a single match race.

Pool B standings:
1. Swedish Challenge (SWE) 62
2. Sail Team BCN (ESP) 45
3. Team Australia (AUS) 43
4. Concord Pacific (CAN) 31
5. Jajo – Dutch Team (NED)  28
6. Team Germany (GER) 14

Sail Team BCN has Foundation 0 and CaixaBank as its main sponsors, and the Ajuntament de Barcelona , Port de Sitges, Highfield, Musto, BWA Yachting, Sailproof and Time Out as its collaborators. The team sails representing the Real Club Náutico de Barcelona.