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Andrew Sinclair – 3D Design, Plymouth, Adam Lees – Plymouth graduate, Peter Austin – Economics & Accountancy, Southampton University, Will Semken – Kent University and Sebastian Samways – Ship Science, Southampton, together with Trystan Seal and skipper, James French, have arrived in California for a week’s sailing on an America’s Cup AC45.

The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is a new event under the umbrella of the America’s Cup and is intended to afford young, talented sailors a clear pathway towards competing for one of the most prestigious trophies in sport – the America’s Cup. It is scheduled for 1 – 4 September, 2013, in San Francisco, during the break between the start of the 2013 America’s Cup Finals and the conclusion of the Louis Vuitton Cup. While six teams that have entered with the backing of an official America’s Cup World Series team go direct to the Finals, other teams can qualify through two selection series being held this month.

On their own initiative and without any official GB sailing backing, a group of, mostly, current British Keelboat Academy sailors applied. They are the GBR Youth Challenge.

The team was put together by skipper James French (20, Newbridge, Isle of Wight), a member of the British Keelboat Academy, an experienced keelboat helm, Youth Match Racing Champion and former GB skier, who flew out to San Francisco last week. The rest of the team, who have variously competed in events at the highest level, including RC44 World championships, TP52 Medcup, Melges 32 circuit and F18 World championships, arrived today to compete in the second of two selection events.

They will be up against teams from Argentina, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal and Switzerland. Another group, from Australia, Austria, Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and South Africa competed last week. All are seeking selection to join pre-selected teams sponsored by the America’s Cup teams in competing in the Youth America’s Cup in September.

GBR Youth Challenge are supporting ,Macmillan Cancer Support, the charity of a sponsor who made their entry possible, and they are sponsored by Team Concise and SLAM

See full story, with pictures.

Follow the event at: Red Bull Youth America’s Cup website and on Facebook. GBR Youth Challenge can be found on: website, Facebook and Twitter