Talent Flourishes at the Inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup
by America’s Cup Media 4 Oct 08:52 PDT
4 October 2024
Press conference – Puig Women’s America’s Cup Regatta © David Maynard / www.alleycatphotographer.com
Anticipation is rising in Barcelona for what is anticipated to be a highly competitive regatta, as the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup draws the top female sailors from around the globe for this first-ever all-female America’s Cup event.
This morning, the skippers from 12 competing teams—six from America’s Cup squads and six Invited Teams from Australia, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Sweden, and Spain—had an early-morning photo session at the Historical Building of the University of Barcelona before addressing the world’s media at the opening Press Conference.
The focus is firmly on these athletes, who are thrilled by the opportunities this Puig Women’s America’s Cup presents as a pathway to major teams and the America’s Cup’s AC75 class.
Silvia Mas, the skipper of Sail Team BCN, commenced the Press Conference by stating: “For me, it is an absolute pleasure to have the first Women’s America’s Cup here in Barcelona. We are incredibly happy to have our family and friends here supporting us. There is a great sense of community.”
Hannah Mills, a double Olympic gold medallist and skipper of Athena Pathway, expressed her excitement: “This is a huge opportunity for women to gain experience in these boats. The experience gap is significant; although we’ve all raced in Olympic boats, the foiling era offers very few chances for female sailors, and this truly marks a significant advancement.”
Mills highlighted the skills gap and viewed the Puig Women’s America’s Cup as a vital stepping stone for future prospects: “This regatta is an essential part of bridging that gap and showcasing what female sailors can achieve. We all feel a sense of responsibility to demonstrate that. We need to make this event as successful as possible—talk about it, promote it, and inform everyone we know about its importance, ensuring that whoever wins the America’s Cup recognizes its significance in the future.”
The stakes are high for these teams, as they vie for a spot in the elite ranks, with all top America’s Cup teams keenly observing the rising talent of female athletes in the global foiling scene. Manon Audinet, skipper of the Orient Express L’Oréal Racing Team, summarized the stakes stating, “This opportunity has been long overdue, giving us the chance to sail these boats. This is just the beginning; we’re gaining experience, and I believe we all aspire to sail the AC75 in the next campaign, but personally, I want to prove myself worthy of such a project.”
Audinet is optimistic about the future: “We’re accumulating more experience, and I believe soon we’ll be proficient enough to collaborate with the senior teams, but it’s truly exciting what’s happening now. I’m looking forward to seeing more women involved in the America’s Cup at the next event.”
This sentiment was echoed by Olivia Price, a silver medallist and skipper of Andoo Team Australia, who said: “It’s thrilling to race at such high speeds on these extraordinary foiling boats alongside the best women sailors in the world—it’s surreal.”
Price added: “This is merely the first step towards continuing women’s racing and creating pathways for future young female sailors. It still gives me goosebumps to be part of this historic moment. This is the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup; yes, women have been involved in the past, but never in a singular event where we compete equally together.”
The fleet features Olympic medallists, including some of the world’s most accomplished yachtswomen. In total, seven Gold, ten Silver, and four Bronze medalists are spread across the two fleets, highlighting the remarkable talent at the Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
Following their success in the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team is riding high, and their Women’s team seeks to replicate that triumph. Giulia Conti, skipper of the Italian team, discussed their preparations, stating:
“The main team has been incredibly supportive. Witnessing the Youth Team’s victory was a moment to realize that all our hard work together over the past few months paid off. It was heartwarming to watch them win; I had tears in my eyes as they crossed the finish line.”
Conti remarked on recent practice sessions: “We’ve had some excellent racing during practice, and now we need to maintain that focus as we head out tomorrow. Mostly, we need to enjoy it because racing these boats is exhilarating. Undoubtedly, it’s the best racing I’ve ever experienced.”
Preparations have been rigorous. Make no mistake: every female sailing athlete wants to secure a victory in this regatta, and competition will be fierce in both America’s Cup and Invited Teams classifications.
Commenting on the impact of the racing, Isabelle Bertold, skipper of Concord Pacific Racing stated: “This is sailing’s grandest stage; being on the water alongside the AC75s guarantees a vast audience. It’s more than just young girls who can find role models in female sailors; it affects sponsors as well.”
“We’ve observed increasing data over the last two years showing that women’s sports generate some of the most engaged fans, thus boosting sponsorship revenue for the teams and garnering even more support. I think this is just the beginning, and we will witness rapid advances in women’s sailing and sports.”
Bertold is eager to race, saying: “On our side of the pool, we have less experience with the boats, so the focus will be on simplifying things and learning swiftly. My greatest takeaway is that the racing looks incredibly enjoyable, so I am looking forward to our first race.”
What will unfold next is two rounds of elite fleet racing, culminating in a match-racing final where only the finest will prevail. The format of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup is rigorous and rewards consistency, precision, and flawless execution, making teamwork and communication key to succeeding in the ultra-fast AC40 fleet of fully equalized yachts.
Let’s examine the performance guide going into the regatta…
AMERICA’S CUP TEAMS
Where the victors in this group will come from poses an intriguing sporting puzzle with several teams vying for the top positions—none more so than Emirates Team New Zealand and the British Athena Pathway teams.
These two sides have enlisted significant Olympic talent, with the Kiwi team featuring Jo Aleh—a gold and silver medallist—while the British team is led by Hannah Mills, who has won double gold and holds a silver medal. These two global superstars will surely offer an edge, but their teammates could be pivotal to their success. Both teams boast a wealth of Olympic and World Championship experience, coupled with extensive time on the water and in simulators.
Another team to watch closely is Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, which has recruited four-time Olympian Giulia Conti to spearhead their efforts. The Italian Women’s team trained vigorously through long sessions in Cagliari, Sardinia, and have made a strong impression since arriving in Barcelona, collaborating closely with their Youth team—recently crowned UniCredit Youth America’s Cup champions—and the senior America’s Cup team. Conversations with other Women’s teams indicate that the Italians are definitely among the favorites.
Throughout the other America’s Cup teams, serious talent will be on display. Alinghi Red Bull Racing presents a well-prepared crew, meticulously selected, who have accrued ample time on the water. Under the leadership of three-time Olympian Nathalie Brugger and Under 19 World Nacra 15 champion Marie Mazuay, the Swiss form a cohesive unit that successfully blends youth with experience under the guidance of Matias Bühler and Coraline Jonet.
France and the United States might serve as dark horses among the America’s Cup teams, yet both possess skilled foiling talents. Olympic Nacra 17 representative at Tokyo 2020, Manon Audinet has partnered with match-racing ace Pauline Courtois, forming a powerful duo.
Meanwhile, NYYC American Magic boasts elite helmsmen. Double Olympian Francesca Clapcich teams up with Paris ILCA Olympian Erika Reineke, and the American Magic senior team has excelled at integrating both their Women and Youth sailors into the senior setup, a factor that could prove crucial.
The competition for the top three spots leading to the fleet race final will be fierce. Time spent on the water could be critical.
INVITED TEAMS
The Invited Teams are equally competitive, showcasing exceptional talent, but success may hinge on those spending the most time on the water. All teams have logged extensive hours in simulators, and an unofficial digital league has seen teams from around the globe challenge each other online.
Two teams stand out; the Swedish and Australian contingents, with the Swedes benefiting significantly from having their own boat for training in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Helmed by Ida Svensson and Julia Gross, they will seek a strong start—though serious rivals await them.
Olympic silver medallists Nina Curtis and Lisa Darmanin are leading the Australian challenge and have arrived in Barcelona with outstanding momentum, and as is typical with Australian teams—extremely competitive. They will compete fiercely, but the surprise team may be the JAJO DutchSail Team, who recently welcomed back Odile van Aanholt and Annette Duetz from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after winning Gold in the 49erFX Class.
The outsider teams—still with a chance to contest—include those from Spain, Canada, and Germany, each boasting world-class sailing talent, all eager to achieve success.
For local supporters, the Spanish Sail Team BCN features Olympian and 470 World Champion Silvia Mas along with the budding foiling talent of Neus Ballester, who is rapidly making a name for herself following a standout youth career in the 420 class. Supported by Olympians Paula Barceló Martín and Nicole van der Velden, the team represents a healthy mix of experience and youth, drawing significant home support from the people of Barcelona.
The AC Team Germany Women’s Team, backed by legendary Cup champion Jochen Schümann, boasts immense talent—featuring Tokyo 2020 silver medallist Tina Lutz in the 49erFX Class, Rio 2016 Olympian Victoria Jurczok, and Olympian and 470 World Champion Luise Wanser. Furthermore, they have included foiling star Franziska Mäge, the 2019 International Moth Women’s World Champion. Collectively, if AC Team Germany unites this talent effectively, they could deliver an unexpected breakthrough.
Lastly, the Canadian entry, Concord Pacific Racing, should not be underestimated as they continue to impress through their training efforts. Led by ILCA 6 standout Isabella Bertold and aided by Olympians Ali Ten Hove and Mariah Millen, the Canadians have been accumulating simulator hours and aiming for a solid series.
The teams are set, and after the training and practice race days, competitive racing is ready to commence. The top three from each division will advance to the final fleet races to decide the leading two contenders, who will then battle it out in a decisive match race for the title.
Crucially, the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup Final will take place on Sunday, October 13, interspersed through racing on the second day of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup Match. The world’s attention will turn towards this new generation of female athletes, who will not only have the chance to make history but also to establish their intent as the next generation’s America’s Cup stars.
None of this could be made possible without the unwavering support of Puig, a leading global entity based in Barcelona within the beauty and fashion sector, which aims to provide female sailors with a platform to demonstrate their skills in the high-performance foiling AC40s and serve as a pathway to the America’s Cup itself. By sponsoring the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup, the organization actively showcases its commitment to fostering inclusivity, gender equity, and diversity within sailing—a sport with which it shares a longstanding connection.
The inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup Trophy was designed by the renowned Spanish architect and designer Patricia Urquiola. Urquiola envisioned “a straightforward, geometric shape resembling a cylinder, devoid of ornate features or a base, which at one point unfurls like a vast sail blown by the wind.” Crafted from silver and measuring 58 cm in height, weighing approximately five kilograms, the trophy’s interior boasts a rose gold finish, and it is handle-free, “So the winning team can embrace it in its entirety,” explains Urquiola.
Securing that magnificent trophy and fully embracing it is the ultimate ambition for the top female athletes in the world. Prepare yourself, the Puig Women’s America’s Cup is set to take the spotlight.
