Puig Women’s America’s Cup signals a new era as female sailors take the spotlight
by America’s Cup Media 14 Oct 08:33 PDT
Puig Women’s America’s Cup Prize Giving © Ivo Rovira / America’s Cup
Undoubtedly, one of the standout moments of the summer sailing season in Barcelona was the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, which not only impressed sailing enthusiasts but also marked a transformative moment in elite women’s sailing, illuminating a promising future for the America’s Cup.
From the beginning, the initiative was ambitious, acknowledging that the chance to race in high-performance foiling yachts was scarce and that the skills gap needed to be addressed. With the exceptional backing of Puig, a leading global fashion and beauty firm, the foundational elements for the Puig Women’s America’s Cup were established, and the significant global interest generated by the event was promising.
Alongside seasoned America’s Cup teams, which fielded top-tier athletes, Invited Teams from yacht clubs in Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands, Canada, Australia, and Germany expressed their intentions and initiated extensive training routines. Many focused on simulator training, while others, such as the Swedish team, purchased their own AC40 yacht to provide invaluable on-water experience for their crews.
As the event approached, enthusiasm intensified, with the initial four races between the America’s Cup teams showcasing some of the closest and most captivating fleet racing ever seen in foiling yachts. This was followed by two days of racing with the Invited Teams, where eight races delivered exhilarating lead changes and dramatic moments.
Silvia Mas, the skipper of Sail Team BCN, remarked: “This has been an incredible event; it’s the first time women have had an America’s Cup opportunity. Witnessing the twelve teams at the start line was breathtaking. It was a fierce battle, and you could see the teams improve race after race, making it increasingly competitive. I believe this opens a major door for future generations, and I am confident that we will see women racing alongside men on large boats in the future.”
“The skill level of the fleet was exceptional, with many Olympic medalists and world champions among the women. It was inspiring to see so many highly skilled competitors together at the starting line, especially in these advanced flying boats where continuous learning is essential. This experience has truly been the pinnacle of my life.”
What emerged from the two groups was undeniable talent—no surprise given that at least 17 Olympic medals were represented on the racecourse. The standout teams included Athena Pathway, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, Sail Team BCN, JAJO Team DutchSail, Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies, and Emirates Team New Zealand, who competed in an intense four-race Semi-Final late in the afternoon. Sail Team BCN won two races but lamented a less favorable result in their second race. In a series that valued consistency, Athena Pathway and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli topped the standings and advanced to the match-race final.
Under the global spotlight between the first two races of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup, the matchup between Athena Pathway and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli showcased an exhilarating spectacle worthy of any America’s Cup showdown. It was closely contested from the beginning, with the Italians gaining a slight edge and managing to extend their lead. They defended their position valiantly over four laps and fended off a late surge by the British on the final downwind leg to claim victory, thus becoming the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup Champions.
Led by the exceptional Olympic talent of Giulia Conti and co-helmed by Margherita Porro, alongside trimmers Maria Giubilei and Giulia Fava, the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team emerged as deserving winners.
On the evening of Sunday, October 13, they accepted their award on the main stage of the Race Village from Puig Brand Ambassador, entrepreneur, and model, Karlie Kloss, triumphantly raising the magnificent trophy. They became inspirational figures for the sport and role models for countless girls worldwide who now see a clear path toward reaching the pinnacle of sailing—the America’s Cup.
Barcelona’s Mayor, Jaume Collboni, addressed the audience during the awards ceremony, stating: “The Puig Women’s America’s Cup transcends a mere regatta. It symbolizes the pursuit of equality and the empowerment of women in sports, paving the way for a more equitable future. What unfolded here this week will ignite the passion of many young women globally, encouraging them to compete and pursue their dreams, proving that there are no limits for female athletes. There are no limits!”
After the event, Giulia Conti, the skipper of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, expressed her excitement: “This event signifies a monumental moment in sailing history, particularly for women. As a little girl, I looked up to Luna Rossa but only saw men. Now, we’ve shown the world what we can achieve and how adept we are at sailing.”
When asked what advice she’d give to young girls aspiring to follow in her footsteps, Conti added: “Dream big, because dreams can indeed come true. I had a long journey through three Olympic Games, missing out on that coveted medal I yearned for. Yet returning for the Puig Women’s America’s Cup was the most exhilarating experience ever; therefore, never abandon your dreams, as they might just become reality.”
Hannah Mills OBE, Britain’s most decorated female Olympic sailor, discussed the significance of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, stating: “Ben Ainslie and I founded Athena Pathway to inspire especially young girls pursuing sailing or considering entering the sport, highlighting the increasing opportunities, both on and off the water. We’ve accomplished that here, which means everything to me.”
John Bertrand, the America’s Cup-winning skipper of Australia II, who ended the New York Yacht Club’s 132-year dominance in the competition, remarked on the Puig Women’s America’s Cup: “Kiwis, especially Grant Dalton, deserve accolades. Conceiving the AC40 as part of the entry fee into the 37th America’s Cup was a remarkable strategic move. The inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup was sailed on state-of-the-art AC40 foilers and broadcasted to a global audience. The racing, visuals, and commentary surpassed previous standards. The competition was world-class. This has reinvigorated Australia’s presence in the Cup via our female sailors, ushering in exciting times.”
Olivia Price, skipper of Andoo Team Australia, added: “The Puig Women’s America’s Cup served as an extraordinary platform to diminish the gap facing women in our sport’s pinnacle. No one can dispute that our competition featured some of the world’s top sailors, along with some of the best racing found in the America’s Cup. We’ve demonstrated our capabilities during our time on these boats. Every hour spent sailing helps bridge that gap—imagine our potential with additional practice. The boats are phenomenal, and the chance to sail them has been spectacular. I smile just recalling the fun we had, but also the opportunity to represent Australia in high competition. Australia requests more time; we aim to be part of an AC40 circuit if it occurs, and we will work toward creating pathways for Australian sailors, particularly women, to continue competing. The door has opened, and we intend to seize this moment—now is the time.”
Odile van Aanholt, an Olympic gold medallist heading into Paris 2024 and skipper of JAJO Team DutchSail, reflected: “Sailing these boats with four girls onboard felt empowering since I’ve never seen that before. I eagerly anticipate the future. This week was deeply emotional, and with the skill level we’ve showcased, there’s immense potential ahead—very exciting. Thank you for organizing such an incredible event.”
Sara Stone, skipper and helm of NYYC American Magic, reflected on the event: “Participating in the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup was a remarkable opportunity that opened the doors to the America’s Cup for us through our connection with the broader American Magic team. We’re proud to have contributed to this historic event and to leave our mark with American Magic in the annals of America’s Cup history.”
“Featuring 12 teams of elite female sailors from around the globe, the competition level was high, despite the disparities in access to boats and training time. Although we didn’t achieve our targeted outcomes, we raced every race to the finish line, improving through varied weather conditions. We hope this event continues well into the future, forever transforming the pathway for women in high-performance sailing. We look forward to the day when future generations witness women racing in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup and the America’s Cup itself as commonplace.”
Julia Gross, helm of Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies, beautifully summarized the experience: “What an incredible week of sailing! The races against other teams were tight, thrilling, and an entirely new experience. This has been a fantastic introduction for women to high-speed foiling vessels, and we want more. The Swedish Challenge looks back on the week with immense joy—starting with the dock-outs, the organization, and the atmosphere was pure happiness! Racing in breezes of 7-20 knots was exhilarating! Crossing the finish line at 45 knots was thrilling, and standing alongside the top women in the world brought fierce competition on the water with warm camaraderie off it.”
The Puig Women’s America’s Cup excelled on every level and every metric, and its impact on sailing—from the elite ranks to grassroots levels—cannot be overstated. Grant Dalton, CEO of America’s Cup Events, envisions an optimistic future: “It has always been evident that women’s sailing in the America’s Cup needed a boost. With Puig’s support and the excellent direction of Abby Ehler and Daryl Wislang, the achievements in Barcelona are truly remarkable. The athletes not only excelled but also entered the radar of current and future Cup teams, leaving no turning back. This is merely the beginning for female athletes to rightfully claim their places on future America’s Cup vessels, based on ability and experience.”
With this stunning inaugural edition of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, the future of women’s sailing has never looked so promising.
