Jason Waterhouse is the latest Red Bull Youth America’s Cup sailor to step up to the America’s Cup level.

The 24-year-old sailor competed with Objective Australia at the inaugural Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in San Francisco in 2013 and has been announced as the newest member of SoftBank Team Japan, who will be among the challengers looking to wrestle the “Auld Mug” away from Oracle Team USA.

Waterhouse, who is set to make his Olympic debut in Rio this summer in the Nacra 17, was recruited after having successful trials with Team Japan in the AC45S foiling catamaran this year.

“I’m really excited to be a part of SoftBank Team Japan,” said Waterhouse, who is the world’s top-ranked sailor in the Nacra 17.

“The depth of experience within the team is enormous and I’m looking forward to working hard to help the team succeed.

“The culture of the team is very positive and you can feel that everyone is hungry to win which is an environment I feel is important.”

Chris Draper, the Team Japan sailing director and tactician, said Waterhouse’s work ethic and attitude will be a big asset to the team.

“We are really excited to have Jason joining the sailing team at SoftBank Team Japan,” Draper said.

“Jason is not only an incredible sailor but also the perfect team player and will fit exceptionally smoothly into our team.

“He brings with him enormous enthusiasm, skills and hunger. It is fantastic for us to bring in someone at the top of the Olympic classes with fresh ideas and real race sharpness.

“The whole team was enormously impressed with his great attitude and work ethic. His skills on the boat have been very impressive.”

The Australian will move to Bermuda to begin sailing full-time with Team Japan after he competes at the Rio Games.

“It is enormously important to the team that we ensure his focus is 100 per cent about the Olympics in Rio for now and we will look forward to welcoming him in Bermuda full-time after the games,” Draper said.

Other sailors to have stepped up from the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup to the America’s Cup level include Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, last year’s ISAF Rolex World Sailors of the Year.

The main aim of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup is to provide junior sailors with a pathway to the senior America’s Cup level.

Bermuda will be represented in the next Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, to be held in the Great Sound before the start of the 35th America’s Cup, next June.