Youth America’s Cup Profile: Peter Dill
In the latest of a series of profiles of members of Bermuda’s team in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, we spotlight Peter Dill, who provided insight into the dedication and training that it takes to represent one’s country at the very highest of levels.
A current Warwick Academy student, Mr. Dill says that the event is “a chance for us to represent Bermuda on a world stage” as “the ambassadors of youth sailing in Bermuda.”
Q: Tell Bernews something about yourself.
A: I am currently in my last year of high school at Warwick Academy. I have diverse work experience in teaching sailing, lifeguarding, boat maintenance and repair and as a charter boat crew.
Q: What made you try out for Team BDA in the first place?
A: I started sailing with the BSA out on Whites Island when I was nine and have loved the sport ever since, taking part in every possible opportunity and occasion. One thing we’ve never had access to in my generation of sailing in Bermuda however, is high performance sailing.
When Bermuda was elected as the host of the America’s Cup my mates and I were talking about putting a team together, and then the opportunity came up. It is a step for Bermudian sailors into high performance racing and is where I always pictured myself going.
Q: Now that you are in Team BDA what do you hope to achieve – you want to win, but do you think you will take sailing even more seriously and look for a career in it, or at least get more involved in it?
A: Maximizing my involvement in the local sailing community has come very naturally to me because of my passion. This team is a chance for a few of Bermuda’s youth sailors to take this passion to the next level.
It would be ambitious to say this will lead us to a career in sailing, but one opportunity leads to the next, so we will see. I would love to become a professional sailor.
Q; Do you think that taking part in an event like this is something that will stand you in good stead for the rest of your lives?
A: This more than a once in a lifetime opportunity and there is so much that all of us will learn from it. When competing at this level of competition not only do you learn a lot about the sport, but you learn a lot about yourself and things that have applications everywhere.
Q: What does it mean to you to be a Bermudian, racing in Bermuda for Bermuda in such a prestigious event?
A: Although it is the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, it is still a chance for us to represent Bermuda on a world stage, but at the same time it puts a lot of pressure on all of us, since we’re the ambassadors of youth sailing in Bermuda. We don’t want to let the other teams beat us in our home waters.
In many ways this is the first time Bermuda has had any connection to the America’s Cup, so there’s that as well, we feel obligated to perform.
Q: What excites you most about the time leading up to race time?
A: I’m excited to be part of this whole process, I think of us as a professional sports team, and although it is a huge commitment, it is one that we are all prepared to take so that when we get to the start line we can perform at a high level.
We will be training, traveling and competing as a team and this camaraderie, the experiences and where it potentially leads for all of us is what excites me the most.
Q: Do you think the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup has the potential to leave a lasting legacy for Bermuda?
A: I hope future generations have the same opportunity that we have had with this whole process, and I think it is a possibility that a Bermuda team can compete in many Red Bull Youth America’s Cups to come.
We will leave a legacy in being the first Bermudian Youth America’s Cup team, but I just hope we can leave the team in a good place after this event for the next generations to improve on, and that the legacy can continue.
Q: What sailing experience do you have?
A: From a young age I have participated in any and every sailing event that has presented itself. This involves overseas, local, inshore and offshore events. To name a few classes, I have raced Optis, Lasers (radial and full rig), Bytes, Comets, 420’s, 29eer’s, IOD’s, Etchells, Fitted Dinghies, J24’s, J92’s, J105’s, J125’s, Vipers, and a Beneteau 35.
As a result of this Youth America’s cup I have now sailed Nacra’s and M32’s. Not all my experience is at a high performance level but I enjoy my time on the water. I would advise young sailors out there to take advantage of any sailing opportunity you can until you can make a decision to channel your efforts into a bigger goal, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
A lot of people are very willing to bring young people along and teach them, especially for a Wednesday night race or something.
Team BDA is Bermuda’s entry into the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup that will take place in the Great Sound in June 2017. They are mentored by Oracle Team USA and will race on the same high-speed AC45F catamarans seen during last October’s Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series in Bermuda.
The team comprises of 15 young Bermudians who will form the crew, the back-up crew and shore crew. Team BDA is being funded entirely by donations.
Team members are Connor Astwood, Mackenzie Cooper, Peter Dill, Preston Farrow, Na’eem Griffith, Philip Hagen, Kalin Hillier, Mustafa Ingham, Emily Nagel, Daniel Pell, Nicholas Pell, Owen Siese, Dimitri Stevens, Shomari Warner and Cecilia Wollmann.
Well Deserved Pete.
Great job Peter!
Huge congrats to you, Peter. Well deserved. You’ve really worked so hard. We’re all so proud of you.