From Topper Champion to America's Cup Youth Squad in less than 7 years!

From Topper Champion to America's Cup Youth Squad in under 7 years....that's the Topper pathway!

 

ITCA World sends huge congratulations to Leo Wilkinson, Topper 5.3 World Champion at Medemblik 2019 on his selection to the Athena Pathway Youth Squad for the 2027 Youth America's Cup in Naples. Leo was selected from 158 applicants after a gruelling weekend of trials at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy on the AC40 simulator, racing round a virtual course.

 

 

 

Athena Pathway Program’s Team Principal, Hannah Mills commented, “We had 158 applicants, which was amazing to see. So much depth and breadth across the UK’s sailing talent that’s coming forward… We chose 21 to come to the trials in Weymouth and now we've got a core squad of 13ho we're looking to develop for the Youth America’s Cup in 2027 and beyond. APP have three core goals for the Youth Squad. In the short term, two Youth Squad sailors will be selected to race with Hannah Mills and a women colleague in the America’s Cup Preliminary regatta in Cagliari in May. “It’s a fast-track program to get a race team ready."