RISING Hampshire star Rob Bunce has been named skipper of the youth wing of Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup team as they prepare to do battle in Bermuda.

The 22-year-old Southampton sailor will lead Land Rover BAR Academy at the Red Bull Youth America's Cup next month.

Bunce will be joined on the seven-strong crew by fellow Southampton sailors Annabelle Vose, Sam Batten and Adam Kay.

As well as skippering the crew Bunce will perform bowman duties, with Vose calling tactics and Batten and Kay trimming the jib.

"It's a massive opportunity for us as a team to really put to the test everything that we've learnt since the Land Rover BAR Academy formed last year – and hopefully win the Red Bull Youth America's Cup," Bunce said.

The Red Bull Youth America's Cup takes place from June 12 to 21.