U.S. Youth Sailors To Represent Country In First-Ever Youth America's Cup Event - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

Information contained on this page is provided by companies via press release distributed through PR Newswire, an independent third-party content provider. PR Newswire, WorldNow and this Station make no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

SOURCE Team USA45 Racing

Team USA45 Racing, Including Members from Throughout the U.S., to Compete in Red Bull Youth America's Cup, Sept. 1 - 4, 2013

SAN DIEGO, March 19, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As the America's Cup reaches new levels of competitive sailing, and ushers in youth sailors for the first time ever in the event's history, eight U.S. sailors will compete together as Team USA45 Racing in the first-ever Red Bull Youth America's Cup.

The Red Bull Youth America's Cup is part of the prestigious 34^th America's Cup taking place in September 2013 in San Francisco, and aims to support youth sailing by giving sailors ages 19 – 24 the experience needed for future America's Cup participation.  The competing 10 teams from eight competing countries will sail in fleet racing format aboard the same high-performance wing-sailed AC45 catamarans used in the America's Cup World Series Tour.

Team USA45 Racing members represent U.S. sailing clubs and collegiate sailing teams from around the country:

• Charlie Buckingham (helmsman), 24, Newport Beach, Calif.
• Peter Kinney (grinder), 23, Newport Beach, Calif.
• Jake La Dow (wing trimmer), 19, San Diego, Calif.
• Graham Landy (tactician), 20, Norfolk, Va.
• Jake Reynolds (bowman), 19, San Diego, Calif.
• Nevin Snow (tactician), 19, San Diego, Calif.
• John Wallace (trimmer), 21, St. Petersburg, Fla.
• Matthew Whitehead (grinder), 20, Panama City, Fla.

"We've got the experience and a winning track record to win the Youth Cup for the U.S., and understand we've been given the opportunity of a lifetime to compete in this inaugural event," said Jake La Dow, team manager, USA45 Racing. "We are confident in our sailing experience and team chemistry, but we need support for travel, training sessions and equipment to make our goal of winning the Youth Cup a reality."

The AC45 catamaran and wing will be supplied to teams; however, all other aspects of Team USA45 Racing's quest to win the Red Bull Youth America's Cup is self-supported and funded primarily through private donations. Team USA45 Racing seeks private and corporate sponsorship support to help augment the cost of its logistical participation. Donations can be made through the team's website, www.usa45racing.com/donate.

"Development experience for youth sailors is a crucial aspect of making a successful jump to the world stage, which is the great part of this new America's Cup event," said Charlie Ogletree, coach of USA45 Racing and past America's Cup challenger competitor. "From now through the start of the races, we're focusing on the boat handling of these amazing machines and teambuilding, so our guys don't miss a step when they're out on the water at top speeds."

Team USA45 Racing is one of two teams representing the U.S.; other national teams of represent Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland. The event takes place in San Francisco, Sept. 1 – 4, between the start of the 2013 America's Cup and the conclusion of the Louis Vuitton Cup on San Francisco Bay.

For more information on the Red Bull Youth America's Cup, visit the event page on www.AmericasCup.com.

For more information on Team USA45 Racing, its sailors or to make a donation to support the team's quest, visit www.usa45racing.com.

©2012 PR Newswire. All Rights Reserved.