ARTEMIS RACING SIGNS ANDREAS AXELSSON

Andreas was a member of the Swedish Sailing Team from 2007-2012, competing in the Laser and Finn classes, before being selected by Artemis Racing to be part of the Swedish Youth Challenge, representing Sweden at the last Red Bull Youth America’s Cup in 2013. After an impressive performance in San Francisco, he was invited to sail for Artemis Racing Youth in the RC44 Class.

Alongside the RC44s Andreas has also been racing on the M32 Series since 2013 with Artemis Racing’s Freddy Lööf, as well as competing in several offshore races such as the Fastnet Race and the Sydney-Hobart Race. In 2015 he was a member of the VO70 Maserati Sailing Team when they set a new World Record from San Francisco to Shanghai, a 7000nm record across the Pacific Ocean.

"I am absolutely delighted to be joining Artemis Racing as a full time member of their America’s Cup sailing squad. Artemis Racing, providing opportunities and a pathway to young Swedish sailors, is really amazing. I was fortunate to get the opportunity after the RBYAC in 2013 to race with Artemis Racing on the RC44 tour which has been a good experience in many ways. I figured if I work hard and keep improving both my sailing skills and fitness that maybe it could lead me to the AC. Luckily I got the opportunity to try out for the AC team, and I feel really ready for the challenge ahead", commented Axelsson.

Andreas took part in a trial earlier this year in Bermuda, which included physical testing in the gym, as well as sailing on the team’s Turbo development boats; an experience he will never forget.

“The Turbos are for sure, the fastest and most thrilling boats I have ever sailed, and not to mention the most physical. The feeling of ripping around at 40 knots on the Great Sound is just something extra spectacular, and I am enjoying every day of it! I feel really lucky to be out there racing these boats and giving it everything I´ve got to help the rest of the team, to make the boat go even faster”, continued Andreas.

Andreas will team up with fellow Swedes; Fredrik Lööf, Anders Gustafsson and Kalle Torlén, and be based in Bermuda full time until the end of the 35th America’s Cup next summer.

Artemis Racing has already begun the search for a new team to represent Sweden in the 2017 edition of the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup. A short list of 25 sailors, both boys and girls, have been taking part in a trial on the island of Hönö, near Gothenburg.

Those selected will train together in Sweden before flying out to Bermuda early next year to prepare to race on the foiling AC45, the same boat currently sailed by Artemis Racing in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series.

Artemis Racing Tactician and Olympic Champion, Fredrik Lööf, who also mentors the Artemis Racing Youth team in the RC44, has flown in specially for the trials. Since joining Artemis Racing last year, he has been impressed with the team’s commitment to supporting youth sailing in Sweden, something he’s very passionate about.

“It’s great to be here in Hono to support the guys and pass on any knowledge and advice I can. This is the chance of a lifetime for these youngsters and I hope they grasp it with both hands. This pathway just didn’t exist when I was learning to sail, and I’m sure it’s going to have a major effect on the future of sailing in Sweden”, said Lööf.