CJ Perez joins other sailing champions to launch Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team for a cleaner ocean

Youngest-ever SailGP competitor, CJ Perez, joins other international sailing champions to launch Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team for a cleaner ocean © Sailing Energy / 69Fmedia

US Championship sailor and youngest-ever SailGP star, CJ Perez (18), is one of three international champion sailors to join forces and launch the Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team.

CJ Perez, alongside Lukas Hesse (22) and Jan Schüpbach (20), as the Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team will compete together in the Persico 69F, at the very highest standard of foiling and as ambassadors for cleaner, healthier seas and a cleaner sailing industry.

The Team are looking to crowdfund EUR 40,000 for race entry fees, accommodation and boat rental to allow them to compete throughout 2022 with a view to win the 69F 2022 Gold Cup. They will be funding the first race, themselves.

Lukas Hesse (22), was named German Champion in 2020, and has a background in 29er and 49er dinghies, more recently having transitioned to WASZP and 69F boats to realise his dream of racing foils.

At just 18 years old, CJ Perez recently won the 2021 US National Championships in the WASZP class, and has been selected to join the United States SailGp Team - at 18 years old she is the youngest sailor ever to join the SailGP league, and the first ever latina.

And, after Olympic campaigns in the 470 Dinghy, plus national and international podium stands, Jann Schüpbach (20) is preparing for the WASZP European and World Championships, alongside the Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team's 2022 Gold Cup journey.

Through the Clean Sailors Youth Racing Team, Lukas, CJ, Jann and Clean Sailors aim to inspire and encourage as many fellow sailors as possible to become active ambassadors for the protection of our oceans.

Launched in July 2020, Clean Sailors' mission is to set a new standard of cleaner sailing within the global sailing community. Work includes campaigning for legislation to better protect our ocean, education, advice and outreach on conservation opportunities within the sailing and marine communities, and sharing scientific research on issues facing our global waters.

In July 2021, Clean Sailors launched Cleaner Marina with industry partners including boatfolk, MDL Marinas, savvy navvy and Ecoworks Marine, to encourage better, cleaner standards across marinas, ports and harbours, globally.

CJ Perez, 2021 US National WASZP Champion and Clean Sailors Ambassador said: "It's important that we protect our oceans so future generations can enjoy the water as much as we have!"

German Champion Sailor and Clean Sailors Ambassador, Lukas Hesse said: "Sailing for a cause as great as the health of our oceans, with Clean Sailors, is awesome and motivates me even more to push the limits."

Jann Schüpbach, professional WASZP sailor and Clean Sailors Ambassador said: "I'm really excited to join the young and ambitious Crew of Clean Sailors and to spread the message of clean sailing. What appeals most to me is that everyone, every sailor, can make a contribution to a cleaner, healthier ocean - be it a weekend sailor at the local club, a family holiday cruising sailor or professional Olympics sailors."

Holly Manvell, Clean Sailors founder, said: "Inspiring generations of sailors on sailing and the magic of our waters is exactly what Clean Sailors is about, and we are so excited to have CJ, Lukas and Jann on our team, for our cause. They are incredible sailors with huge ambitions, matched by their huge talents, and huge hearts for the health of our waters. They stand firmly with us, for the very ecosystem that gives us sailors our pleasure, the ecosystem we need to protect the most - our ocean."

To sponsor the team or for more information about Clean Sailors' Youth Racing Team, visit www.cleansailors.com.