Tre Maxwell lived up to his team’s expectations at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Cádiz last month.

The Bermudian sailor was equal to the task working in a professional environment with United States SailGP’s shore team at the two-day regatta.

He was granted the wonderful opportunity having impressed the team’s chief executive and helmsman, Jimmy Spithill, while working within the wing department at the previous SailGP event in Saint-Tropez, France.

“Tre really impressed us in St Tropez where he participated in the SailGP Inspire Careers programme,“ Spithill, the multiple world and America’s Cup champion, told The Royal Gazette. ”We could tell he was an incredibly hard worker and that attitude is what really impressed us and led us to invite him to be a part of our shore team this past week in Cadiz."

Maxwell, 22, said the experience exceeded his expectations by far.

“It was an amazing experience to be able to be around my idols and connect to them on a friendship level,” he added. “This has always been where I have wanted to be. I learnt so much about the sailing industry and about myself.

“It completely exceeded my expectations. Everyone in SailGP is at a different level. They have so much experience. Everyone works so hard. I want to be around these guys because you become who you surround yourself with.”

Team USA produced a strong showing in Spain to take a significant step towards qualifying for the $1 million SailGP Grand Final, which they will host in San Francisco next March.

Spithill and crew won the third race at the event on the way to securing their spot in the winner-takes-all final alongside Team Great Britain and Team Australia.

They ultimately finished second behind winners Team Australia, in what was their fourth podium final race of the season.

Team USA’s campaign did not go without drama as they narrowly avoided a dramatic capsize by Team Great Britain that nearly took them out of the podium race contested in white knuckle conditions.

“These guys push the boats to the limits so things like that do happen. It was super exciting to watch,” Maxwell said.

Spithill’s team is second in the global championship showcasing the wing-sailed foiling F50 catamarans designed for and raced in the 35th America’s Cup, which Bermuda hosted in 2017.

“Team USA is the best team to work with,” Maxwell added. “They are friendly, kind and they are an actual team. Everyone helps with everything and it feels like a big family. They are a proud team.”

The promising sailor hopes to be involved again in the championship at future events.

“The door is always open,” he said. “Once you put your foot in the door it’s always open and hopefully I’ll be able to go to future events.”

Team Australia, the series leaders and defending champions, will host the next SailGP event in Sydney on December 17-18.