Mustafa Ingham is happy to play a key supporting role in the feel-good “movie” that has been Team BDA’s Red Bull Youth America’s Cup journey.

Ingham and his team-mates won the hearts of a nation with their stirring displays during the qualifying series and return to the Great Sound today for the finals.

While the past week has been dreamlike for the team, meeting fans and signing autographs, Ingham insists their story is far from over as they strive for a happy ending.

“It’s been surreal, I can’t explain it — it’s been like a movie,” Ingham said.

“The love from the country has been tremendous. I don’t even have to have my jersey on when I walk down the street and people are congratulating me and the team.

“It’s going to be tough with eight teams in the finals but we’re striving because we want to give the Bermudian people first place.”

A keen sportsman, Ingham was given a nudge by his grandmother to try out for Team BDA almost two years ago.

He admits he barely knew a tack from a gybe before starting his sailing odyssey, but has fallen in love with the sport and hopes to take it further.

“I had the physical side from playing tennis, triathlon, cycling, football, squash and a bit of basketball,” said the former Berkeley Institute and Impact Mentoring Academy student.

“I’ve done it all; a jack of all trades, master of none! This sport can take you so many places if you have a good reputation, a hard work ethic and discipline.

“I’ll be sending my CV around and hopefully I get some recommendations. It may not be the America’s Cup, but hopefully I can make it somewhere. I don’t want this to stop!”

Although the members of Team BDA were initially strangers from different walks off life, Ingham said they have become a family and believes he has made some lifelong friends.

“I’d never seen any of these guys before,” Ingham added. “I’m really close friends with Shomari Warner; he’s my mate for life.

“We all get along and we have great vibes around the team manager’s house, Laura Cutler, who helps out with the team chemistry, bringing us together for lunches and dinners.”

Team BDA remain very much a work in progress, according to Ingham, who believes they have nothing to fear before facing the best youth sailing teams in the world.

“We’re getting into our stride and we’re still feeling the boat out,” said Ingham, who along with helmsman Dimitri Stevens are the first best black sailors competing in the event.

“We don’t fear anyone, but respect everyone. It’s all about who makes the least amount of mistakes and who can capitalise on them.”

Ingham’s role as a wing grinder is one of the most physical on the AC45F foiling catamaran.

Not only has he gained more 30 pounds of muscle, Ingham has completely changed his diet as well as getting up to speed with the finer details of sailing.

“You’re really exerting yourself and your heart rate is getting up to 190 [beats per minute],” Ingham said.

“At the end of the race I’m pretty flustered but there’s a tactical side to it too.

“You also have to get your footing down because walking on the trampoline when you’re going 30 knots downhill is not easy!”