Portsmouth schoolboy's design will become America's Cup victory trophy

SCHOOLBOY Zak Kay will have his design transformed into the America's Cup trophy.
Zak Kay holding his winning design, with America's Cup World Series event director Leslie GreenhalghZak Kay holding his winning design, with America's Cup World Series event director Leslie Greenhalgh
Zak Kay holding his winning design, with America's Cup World Series event director Leslie Greenhalgh

The 10-year-old won the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Victory Trophy competition.

For the second year, the creative contest gave budding young artists the chance to have their design immortalised as a winner’s trophy.

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To celebrate winning, Zak, his mum and two brothers were invited to team Land Rover BAR’s base for a tour, and they met event director Leslie Greenhalgh.

Zak Kay's design, which will become the America's Cup World Series victory trophy this monthZak Kay's design, which will become the America's Cup World Series victory trophy this month
Zak Kay's design, which will become the America's Cup World Series victory trophy this month

Zak, who lives in Paulsgrove, will be involved in the final-day presentation of the trophy he designed.

Zak said: ‘I was so excited when I found out that I had won. It’s amazing – I can’t wait to go to the event.’

His mum Kelly said: ‘I’m over the moon. I’m really proud of him.

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‘He’s very arty anyway, but has never won anything as huge as this.

Zak Kay's design, which will become the America's Cup World Series victory trophy this monthZak Kay's design, which will become the America's Cup World Series victory trophy this month
Zak Kay's design, which will become the America's Cup World Series victory trophy this month

‘It’s a real boost for his confidence and self-esteem.’

Zak’s art teacher, Martine Pottenger, from St Paul’s Catholic Primary School, added: ‘I’m extremely excited about the opportunity that this has given Zak and it’s one that I’m very proud of.

‘Zak is looking forward to seeing his trophy being brought to life.

‘He is thrilled to be involved with the experience and meeting Sir Ben Ainslie is a great opportunity.’

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Zak’s entry was chosen by an judging panel including official artist-in-residence of British America’s Cup team Land Rover BAR Jeremy Houghton, sailor and 1851 Trust ambassador David Carr, and editor of The News Mark Waldron.

The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Portsmouth sees the world’s best sailors battling against one another in three days of fast, intense racing, between July 22 and 24.

America’s Cup defenders Oracle Team USA will be looking to hold on to the title against stiff competition from local hero Sir Ben Ainslie, skipper of Land Rover BAR, current World Series leaders Emirates Team New Zealand, Artemis Racing from Sweden, SoftBank Team Japan and Groupama Team France.

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