The confidence among Bermuda’s Red Bull Youth America’s Cup team soared to another level after a successful day of practice racing in the Great Sound yesterday.

Lining up against Red Bull rivals Team Tilt, Land Rover BAR and Kaijin Team Japan, Team BDA posted an impressive 4-1-2 record in the three fleet races contested in 12-15 southwest breezes.

The first place finish in the second race was the team’s second of the week, both victories achieved with Bermuda College student Dimitri Stevens at the helm of the one-design AC45F foiling catamaran.

“[The victories] raised our confidence a lot and shows that we can compete with these guys and that we do belong in this regatta,” Stevens, who shared the helm with Olympian Cecilia Wollmann, said.

“It’s been a lot of fun sailing the 45. We’re just getting used to it really; fine-tuning how we sail and getting our steps down and so far it’s been pretty good.

“It’s been a learning curve but not as big as it would have been if we didn’t have as much time to train in the GC32.

“It is definitely a step up learning the wing and now as a helm I also have to do rake, so it’s definitely a big learning curve in that aspect.

“But in terms of sailing versus the GC32, it’s close enough where it’s not a total revamp of everything.”

Team BDA head coach Richard Clarke said the island’s sailors exceeded his expectations on their debut in the AC45F.

“If you told me this team would be this confident and as competitive going into this week, I would have thought that was pretty lofty expectations,” he said.

“We’re trying to learn the recipe to success, and this is another step in baking that successful cake, so to speak. You could not script this any better.

“So much of any sport is confidence and every time we go out and ace a race or have a good comeback the confidence gets better. And with confidence comes a bit of guts to put the boat in tight situations knowing the crew and driver can handle it.

“You’re never going to get free passes so you have to be ready to battle and tussle with the good teams. With boats doing 30 plus miles per hour inches apart you have to have that confidence that you are going to pull everything off.”

While encouraged, Clarke noted that there’s always room for growth.

“We have a pretty good batting average right now but can certainly tighten that up,” he said.

“We are making massive inroads but we still have lots left in the tank to get better for sure.

“I think the big thing is being consistent on the start line. We have to get a bit more consistent with that and more crisper with sailing the boat.”

The Youth America’s Cup will take place on the Great Sound from June 12 to 21.