Puig Women’s America’s Cup – Day 2
by America’s Cup media on 6 Oct 12:30 PDT
6 October 2024
It was a day defined by sheer grit and perseverance, highlighted by the joy and excitement of the race victors, as the Group B Invited Teams of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup completed four captivating races on a challenging Barcelona racetrack that tested the skills of the world’s finest female sailors. The level of talent and technique showcased was remarkable, and their strategic racing was emblematic of championship-level competition.
This series is undoubtedly one of the most challenging to win, with Group B separated by just six points from first to fourth place, and in a fleet where every team genuinely has a chance to claim race victories, the competition for a place in the Semi-Finals is set to be fierce throughout this eight-race series.
After a brief wait for the wind to pick up, the races commenced under marginal conditions. The outcome of the first race was decided on the final downwind leg, with Team Andoo Australia starting in the lead, closely pursued by Sail Team BCN and Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies. As the bottom of the course approached, the wind died down, leading to tense final gybes as the Australians and Spaniards both struggled to maintain their foil.
Sweden ultimately benefited from remaining foiling longer than their competitors and, after some astute positioning and skillful sailing, executed a dramatic crash-gybe to cross the finish line first.
With the wind filling and beginning to shift, the second race saw Team Andoo Australia truly display their prowess. Having secured the lead at the first windward gate by effectively reading the shifts on the right side of the course during the first beat, they quickly extended their lead and maintained it throughout the race.
Leading by over 1,000 meters at one point, Olivia Price and Laura Harding skillfully brought the Australian boat home to win easily. Following them, Sail Team BCN earned crucial points in second, with JAJO Team DutchSail finishing third.
The subsequent two races exhibited a masterclass in starts, fleet racing, and AC40 techniques from the Dutch team, helmed by Odile van Aanholt and Willemijn Offerman. Despite limited time in the boat, they showcased their exceptional sailing abilities by winning the third race after an intense duel with Sail Team BCN, then cruising to victory in the fourth race with a substantial lead, even with a late challenge from Andoo Team Australia.
JAJO Team DutchSail’s consecutive race victories place them at the top of the leaderboard with 27 points, closely followed by Sail Team BCN, helmed by Silvia Mas and Neus Ballester, in second with 24 points. Team Andoo Australia holds third place with 23 points, while the fourth-placed Swedish Challenge powered by Artemis Technologies crew is hot on their heels with 21 points.
Odile van Aanholt, skipper of JAJO Team DutchSail, was ecstatic about the team’s performance, stating: “Sailing the AC40 is an incredible opportunity, and the racing was so tight. We had to stay vigilant due to varying windpuffs, with only eight knots at the bottom and 13 knots at the top of the course—lots of fluctuations, which we thrive on.
“We made great progress today, and we’re thrilled. We celebrated on the water like there’s no tomorrow, embracing all the positive vibes and cherishing each win. We’re fortunate to be here and to sail this incredible boat. We plan to replicate our game strategy for tomorrow.”
Reflecting on the significance of participating in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, van Aanholt remarked: “It’s incredibly special. I’m increasingly aware of how unique this moment is. I feel very fortunate to be in this generation at this time. It’s frustrating that it has taken this long.
“In Optimist sailing, it’s clear that when physical prowess isn’t a factor, girls can compete equally with boys, and in Olympic sailing, I believe we are treated equally. In larger boat sailing, where physical attributes matter less, why not extend those opportunities? It’s heartening that we are finally getting this chance, which is pivotal in bridging the gap with our male counterparts. We should absolutely earn our chances based on skill.”
Silvia Mas, skipper of Sail Team BCN and a prominent figure in Spanish sailing, discussed the challenging conditions, saying: “We are extremely pleased. Today marked our first day of competition. The wind fluctuated, but I think we handled the maneuvers well, aside from a couple where we fell off the foils. Overall, I’m very proud of the team.”
Regarding the importance of the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup, Mas commented: “This opens doors for all women and for anyone with dreams. We have waited for so long for this occasion, and it’s almost surreal to be part of it—truly special.”
Olivia Price, skipper of Andoo Team Australia, came ashore and shared insights into the improvements leading to their solid performances, saying:
“We have been focusing significantly on our communication. Laura (Harding) and I are both skippers who have raced against each other in the 49erFX for the past three years, so we had not been on a boat together until the AC40. She joined our program right before the Olympics, so we worked diligently on our communication, utilizing the SIM where she was at the helm and I was communicating, and vice versa. We aimed to elevate our game and are witnessing the fruits of that effort. Now, it’s about integrating that with executing our race plan.”
Reflecting on the day, Price added: “It was a fantastic day on the water, and we are elated to have executed such a strong performance. Of course, we left points behind, but so did everyone else. This was our first race day, and there is much more to come. These boats are exhilarating and the most enjoyable sailing vessels I’ve ever navigated. Being part of this is amazing and is the initial step towards bridging the experience gap between us and the AC75s. Having Australia return to the America’s Cup is incredibly meaningful to us.”
Group B of the Puig America’s Cup remains highly competitive, and with the potential for strong winds and large waves later this week, the Race Committee has announced a rescheduling, moving Group B’s races set for Wednesday, October 9, to tomorrow, Monday, October 7.
The on-water action resumes tomorrow with four additional races scheduled to start at 14:10 CET. With the standings so closely contested, we can anticipate a thrilling battle for crucial podium placements and a sought-after spot in the Semi-Finals of this historic, inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup.
