teamtiltsailing.ch
2 • Team Tilt Sailing
Introduction For the first time in history, young and talented sailors have a clear path towards competing for one of the most prestigious trophies in the world of sailing: the America’s Cup. The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will take place in San Francisco in September 2013, on the same high performance, wing-sailed AC45 catamarans used in the America’s Cup World Series. The event is open to sailors aged under 25 years old, and is aimed at giving them the opportunity to represent their country at the highest level,
and to be seen by the world’s best teams, professional sailors and media. Switzerland, and particularly the Lake Geneva area, has a long lasting tradition of high performance yacht racing that includes multihull sailing since the beginning of the eighties. The high tech one-design classes Decision 35 and M2 were, amongst others, born on its shores. Team Tilt will compete on behalf of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), and is currently carrying the colours of two prestigious partners:
Jiva Hill Park Hotel and Tag Heuer. Team Tilt also benefits from the support of Swiss Sailing, the national sailing federation. Team Tilt qualified for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup thanks to its outstanding results obtained during the selection trials. It is one of five national teams qualified, out of over thirty candidates. The Red Bull Youth America’s will take place on September 1-4, 2013, in San Francisco, at the heart of the 34th America’s Cup racing season.
Team Tilt’s training for the Youth America’s Cup includes competing in the Décision 35 catamarans circuit: the Vulcain Trophy.
Swiss challenger for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup • 5
Editorial Four months! This is the time it has taken to find the necessary funding, establish a professional structure with high level coaches and other team support means, acquire a high performance multihull, select a local team of youngsters, organize a credible training schedule (on and off the water), prepare for the main qualification series in San Francisco and qualify for the "Red Bull Youth America’s Cup"! Needless to say that it has been an incredible team endeavor and achievement, but also a fantastic journey.
And this was just a start! Since the team’s qualification, the young sailors from Team Tilt have been working very hard in order to reach the best possible level, training like professional America’s Cup sailors, and racing in three different, high performances, multihulls classes: the Decision 35, M2 and Extreme40 catamarans. I’m proud of what has been achieved, proud of the commitment and enthusiasm of our youth Swiss Team and excited about the future. The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup
will gather some of the best youth sailors of the world in probably what is going to be recognized as one of the most exciting sailing events ever organized. The adventure has just started and I hope you will enjoy and share this great journey with us! Alex Schneiter
Swiss challenger for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup • 7
Red Bull Youth America’s Cup The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is a new event organized under the umbrella of the America’s Cup and it is intended to give young, talented sailors a clear pathway towards competing for one of the most prestigious trophies in sport – the America’s Cup. The competition is scheduled September 1-4, 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. The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is open to 10 national teams of six sailors, aged 19 to 24 in 2013. Each crew must hold a valid passport of the country their team represents. Half of the teams involved in September’s Red Bull Youth America’s Cup are backed
Teams Selected for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Australia – Objective Australia Germany – STG/NRV Youth Team New Zealand – Full Metal Jacket Racing Portugal – ROFF/Cascais Sailing Team Switzerland – Team TILT
by an official America’s Cup World Series team, whilst the others – including Team Tilt – have had to compete in the Selection Trials last February in San Francisco. Double Olympic Gold medalists Roman Hagara and HansPeter Steinacher, the Sports Directors for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, made the selections after closely monitoring the teams on and off the water during the two back-to-back selection weeks.
Youth crews supported by America’s Cup World Series Teams France – Energy Team New Zealand – Emirates Team New Zealand Sweden – Artemis Racing/Swedish Youth Challenge USA – ORACLE TEAM USA/American Youth Sailing Force USA – ORACLE TEAM USA/USA45 Racing (USA)
The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup will be sailed on state of the art AC 45 catamarans; the same boats used by the teams training for the America’s Cup.
8 • Team Tilt Sailing
The Team
Lucien Cujean Skipper Birth: 16.08.1989 Nationality: Swiss City: Versoix Formation: Architect Lucien started sailing on multihulls in 2007 alongside Alain Gautier on the Decision 35 Foncia. He was part of the team who won the amateur title in the Tour de France à la Voile 2012, as helmsman on board " Ville de Genève Carrefour Prévention ". Lucien also competed in the Rolex Sydney Hobart 2011; he obtained two Swiss Champion titles in the " Surprise " and Esse 850 Class in 2011, also winning the Esse 8.50 European Cup 2011. Last but not least, Lucien has been a member of the Swiss national team from 2006 to 2010 in the Laser Class; he competed in two ISAF Youth World Championships as well as in the ISAF World Cup 2009-2010. " To take part in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup isn’t enough for me: I want to be a serious candidate for the title ! We are training every day in order to be ready in September! "
Jocelyn Keller Tactician Birth: 03.08.1994 Nationality: Swiss City: Lutry Formation: College Jocelyn is a three times Optimist Swiss Champion; he competed in three Opti Worlds. He then moved on to the Laser Class and competed in one European and one World Championship. In 2012, he ranked Swiss N.3 in the annual ranking on Laser. " Since I saw Alinghi’s victory in 2003, the America’s Cup has always been a dream. It’s great to be part of a competition like the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, to compete against the best young sailors in the world on multihulls such as the AC45! "
Swiss challenger for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup • 9
Thomas Mermod
Jérémy Bachelin
Lionel Vaucher
Trimmer Birth: 14.04.1989 Nationality: Swiss City: Buchillon Formation: Business School at the University of Lausanne (HEC)
Wingsail Trimmer Birth: 11.07.1993 Nationality: Swiss City: Eclepens Formation: Medicine at the University of Lausanne
Grinder Birth: 31.07.1990 Nationality: Swiss City: Aubonne Formation: HEG (Management at the University of Applied Sciences of Bern)
Thomas Mermod began his sailing career in the Optimist Class, and competed in one European championship. He also took part in three World Championships in the Splash class, with a best ranking of 25th. Since 2009, Thomas has been sailing exclusively on multihulls. He has participated in the Decision 35 challenge with four different crews. Thomas also took part in the M2 Speed Tour.
Jeremy Bachelin is one of Switzerland’s best 29er sailor. He got a bronze medal in the ISAF Youth Worlds 2010, in the 420 Class. He won the Bol d’Or Mirabaud in the M2 Class, and finished 4th in the M2 Speed Tour 2012.
A member of Geneva’s Regatta Training Center (CER), Lionel was part of the crew that won the tour de France à la voile in 2012 in the amateur category. He finished 3rd in the Primo Cup in the Surprise Class, and got a 4th place in the Esse 850 Worlds in 2012.
" Competing in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is the best chance to become, one day, a professional sailor. "
" The winning team will be the one that makes the least numbers of mistakes. This is the reason why we train so hard. We will give our best until September! "
" The Red bull Youth America’s Cup means a great deal to me. Taking part in the Youth America’s Cup is a huge challenge, and a great opportunity to compete with the best young sailors in the world! "
10 • Team Tilt Sailing
Jonas Schagen
Mikis Psarofaghis
Sébastien Schneiter
Grinder Birth: 20.04.1989 Nationality: Swiss City: Aire-La-Ville Formation: Sailmaker
Bowman Birth: 08.10.1990 Nationality: Swiss City: Corsier Formation: Boat builder
Reserve Birth: 24.09.1995 Nationality: Swiss City: Anières Formation: College
Jonas began his sailing career in the 420 Class. He then rapidly started sailing on Decision 35 multihulls with Team Alinghi. He also took part in many regattas in the Luthi 8.70 Class, winning the overall ranking. Jonas also sailed offshore during six months around South Africa.
Mikis Psarofaghis is one of the best Moth sailor in Switzerland. He won the European Championship, finished 17th in the World Championship and third in the Swiss Championship. Mikis scored two victories at the Bol d’Or Mirabaud in the monohull category. In multihull, he finished first in the Ost West on SL 33 and won the M2 Speed Tour in 2011.
In 2011, Sébastien became European, Dutch and Swiss Champion in the Laser 4,7 Class, and number one in the European Youth Ranking. In 2010 and 2012, he became Swiss junior sailor of the year. He participated in the ISAF Word Championship, and Youth Olympic Games. He is a keen A-Cat and M2 multihulls sailor.
" Everyday, when I wake up, I tell myself that I need to give my best! The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is a huge challenge, and I’m really lucky to be able to represent my country with such a great team. "
" The America’s Cup, along with the Olympic Games, is sailing’s flagship event. Joining a Youth America’s Cup team offers me the chance to see how it really works, from the inside. "
" The Red Bull Youth America’s Cup requires a full commitment and a healthy way of living. I give my best on the boat as well as at the gym. My goal is to win the Red Bull youth America’s Cup and leave a memory in the Swiss sailing history. "
Swiss challenger for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup • 11
Support
Alex Schneiter
Arnaud Psarofaghis
Matt Cooper
François Rayroux
Team Leader
Laurent Voiron Coach
Team Positioning / Development
Coach
Rules Advisor
12 • Team Tilt Sailing
AC45
The AC45 is the " quarterhorse " design created specifically for the America’s Cup World Series and the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Stout and nimble, the AC45 is a one-design. That is, all the major elements of the yacht are identical. The AC45 features a wing sail that stands 70 feet tall. Wing sails are high technology and they are " new equipment " in the realm of the America’s Cup. In the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, the boats will be
sailed by a crew of six, owing to the physical nature of the boat. Forward sails include a jib, when sailing upwind, and a gennaker, for high-speed sailing off the wind. The AC 45’s are ten feet longer than the Decision 35 catamarans sailed on Lake Geneva and used by Team Tilt for their training ahead of the Youth America’s Cup. They are fast and sensitive yet forgiving, and will with no doubt deliver fantastic races.
AC45 Principal Dimensions Length...................................13.45 m Maximum Beam.................6.90 m Mast Height........................21.50 m Maximum Draft...................2.70 m Displacement...................1,400 kg Wing sail area.....................83.5 m2 Jib area.......................................48 m2 Gennaker Area....................125 m2
Swiss challenger for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup • 15
Training program Team Tilt will compete in the Vulcain Trophy 2013, and benefit from the exceptional level of the sailors involved in the Decision 35 Class. The Vulcain Trophy combines two types of events: long distance races such as the Bol d’Or Mirabaud (with over 500 boats on the
starting line), and Grand Prix events. The circuit involves local specialists, as well as America’s Cup sailors such as Paul Cayard, Torbjorn Tornqvist or Loïck Peyron.
as in the Extreme 40 sailing series.
Those events will all contribute in the team’s preparation, and will help its members to be ready for the Red The team will also compete in Bull Youth America’s Cup. some events of the TeamWork M2 Speed Tour, as well
Calendar of events Event
Class
Location
Date
RBYAC Selection Series
AC45
San Francisco, USA
February 18-24, 2013
Extreme 40 Exhibition Regatta
Extreme 40
Portofino, ITA
April 28-May 1, 2013
Open de Versoix I
Decision 35
Versoix, SUI
May 10-12, 2013
100 Miles du lac de Neuchâtel
M2
Neuchâtel, SUI
May 18, 2013
Grand Prix d’Estavayer
M2
Estavayer, SUI
May 19-20, 2013
Grand Prix Les Ambassadeurs
Decision 35
SNG, SUI
May 25-26, 2013
Open de Versoix II
Decision 35
Versoix, SUI
June 7 and 9, 2013
Bol d’Or Mirabaud
Decision 35
Leman Lake, SUI
June 15, 2013
Act 4 - Extreme Sailing Series
Extreme 40
Istanbul, TUR
June 20-23, 2013
Grand Prix Genolier
M2
Morges, SUI
June 29-30, 2013
Red Bull Youth America’s Cup
AC45
San Francisco, USA
September 1-4, 2013
Open de Crans
Decision 35
Crans, SUI
September 7-8, 2013
GP Grange & Cie
Decision 35
Cologny, SUI
September 21-22, 2013
GP Beau-Rivage Palace
Decision 35
Ouchy, SUI
October 4-6, 2013
In order to qualify for the Youth America’s Cup, the young sailors of Team Tilt had to prove that they were good sailors – and real athletes. Mission accomplished!
16 • Team Tilt Sailing
Team Tilt training support Physical and Team building training Team Tilt is followed by two fitness coaches, owing to the physical nature of the boat. The team members pump iron twice per week, and have three cardio training sessions. The objective is to gain the muscle power that is necessary to sail on the AC45. Team Tilt is also followed by a team positioning and development coach, who organizes team building sessions. The goal is to work with the team on the boat, but also onshore, on the process of knowing each other. The better the team members know each other, the easier it becomes to help one ano-
ther, to find resources to go a little bit further and to make the small or big extra steps that will make a difference with respect to other teams on the water.
Decision 35, M2 and Extreme 40 catamarans The Decision 35 is a multihull specifically designed for the light wind conditions that prevail on Lake Geneva. Her weight/power ratio is exceptional. The length of the boat is 35 feet (10,81 meters), 10 feet smaller than an AC45, for a mast height of over 20 meters. The D35 is a boat which
combines great technological qualities. Her structure presents unique characteristics: the boat is made of three hulls, but only two are floats. The central ‘pod’ is used to tie the structure together, and withstand the stresses from the platform and rig. Altogether light and powerful, this solution provides excellent aerodynamics. The members of Team Tilt will also practice – and race on M2 catamarans, slightly smaller with their 28 feet yet high tech and very sensitive. Last but not least, they will compete in some events of the Extreme 40 circuit.
Swiss challenger for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup • 19
Selection Series in San Francisco During the selection series, which took place in February 2013 in San Francisco, Team Tilt didn’t just qualify for the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup: they performed with style and panache. The selection trials were based on numerous criteria: sailing performance (60%), team spirit (20%), fitness and level of ability (20%). Team Tilt proved that training pays dividends as the team flew through the round of fitness tests, with its skipper, Lucien Cujean, even breaking a record in the process. " Team Tilt is physically
well prepared and has a good team spirit ", said Hans-Peter Steinacher, Sports director of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. Team Tilt’s tactician Jocelyn Keller also made his mark, by breaking a winch. " I use this grinder every day ", commented Jimmy Spithill, skipper of Oracle Team USA. " I have never managed to break it, but Jocelyn bust it in 20 minutes! These guys are really strong! " Team Tilt then dominated the fleet races on the water, winning six out of nine races.
One team, one passion, one ambition: to win the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup!
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