Local residents have been urged to meet and support members of Team BDA, who will compete in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

The ten young athletes will make a public appearance at Liberty Theatre next Wednesday from 6pm to 7pm.

“This will be Bermuda’s chance to ask about the team’s training and to hear of their triumphs and challenges, as these young Bermudians are pioneers in competitive sailing,” said a Team BDA statement.

“The one female and three black sailors on the team have compelling stories about breaking gender and racial barriers. Everyone on the team has a story to tell that will make Bermuda proud. One astounding fact about this team is that before this opportunity, they were not all sailors. High performing athletes, yes, but sailing is new to some of them.

“Come and show your support ... right here in Bermuda! Hear their stories, ask them questions, learn about their rigorous health and fitness routines, understand the incredible speed and technology of the AC boats, take your picture with the team.

There will be a door prize and the opportunity to order Team BDA gear.”

As well as meeting the team, the public will be shown three short films about Team BDA.

The videos are also on YouTube:

Team BDA Intro Video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J567cfLo2Ws

Team BDA Trailblazers, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h-IiwdqhvXo

Team BDA Women Sailors, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2V2MdFQK8M

The team will race in the qualifier events on June 12 and 13. Spectators can watch from the America’s Cup Village in Dockyard or from the water on either day. The finals take place on June 20 and 21.

Tickets are for sale at: www.americascup.com/tickets

The first “meet and greet” event took place last week which saw some 230 people attend.

Team BDA is Bermuda’s entry in the 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, a competition designed to create a pathway for young sailors into the highest level of international sailing.

The young Bermudians come from a variety of sailing and non-sailing backgrounds. The team consists of Connor Astwood, Mackenzie Cooper, Peter Dill, Philip Hagen, Mustafa Ingham, Danny Pell, Owen Siese, Dimitri Stevens, Shomari Warner and Cecilia Wollmann.

Team BDA corporate sponsors are:

Title sponsor — Arch Capital Group Ltd.; Gold sponsors — Ascendant Group, Belco; Silver sponsors — KPMG, Hamilton Insurance Group, The OIL Group of Companies.

The Team BDA committee and coaches are: Peter Durhager, chairman; Mike Winfield, director; Laura Cutler, team manager; Andy Cox, finance; Richard Clarke, head coach; Michael Barnes, foiling voach.

• For further information, contact: Peter Backeberg, Team BDA Communications, e-mail: peter@shooterandscribe.com