
The Statue of Liberty was one of the first things the crew of America saw when they emerged from the fog of New York Harbor.

They came into port early in the morning, and the mist covered the tops of Manhattan's skyscrapers.

The replica of the first winner of sailing's oldest prize was in town for a leg of the Louis Vuitton World Series, part of the build-up to next year's America's Cup in Bermuda.

The four young crew members then had to help get the boat ready for guests, as they continued their role as ambassadors for the America's Cup.

The 139-foot schooner is owned and skippered by Troy Sears.

After being part of the bid team that missed out on bringing the America's Cup back to San Diego, Sears decided to take America on a year-long journey that will conclude in Bermuda for the 35th edition of the race.

Sears has experienced backup in the form of his friend Mark Stevenson, seen here (left) with crew member Chris Childers.

A New Jersey native now teaching sailing in San Francisco, Childers lost half of his left leg after a car crash.

Crewmate Cragan Smith is pictured with guests in New York.

Tasha Ellis is another of the young crew.

After heading up the East Coast seaboard, they returned to New York for the July 4 celebrations.