Puig Women’s America’s Cup kicks-off tomorrow
For the first time in 173 years of America’s Cup history a dedicated women’s event starts tomorrow. It’ll provide a platform for some of the best women sailors in the world.
It’s called the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, and was initially announced in September 2021 (when speculation was still running rife about the format the America’s Cup would take).
Puig is a family company based in Barcelona. It’s got a rich nautical heritage sponsoring sailing events (like the Copa del Rey in Palma de Mallorca from 1984 to 2006, and it set up the Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona regatta alongside Real Club Náutico de Barcelona in 2008). Puig is the home of Love Brands – furthering wellness, confidence and self-expression.
Round-robin format, and dates, for Puig Women’s America’s Cup
Round-robins take place in Barcelona on 5-9 October, semi-finals 11 October, and the final match on 13 October. And, the competitors — of whom 17 are Olympic medallists — are more than ready for the competition and its legacy.
“The spirit of the fist Puig Women’s America’s Cup is something unique, and above all is creating opportunities, which is something we need to encourage and support,” says Maria Cantero, a current member of the Sail team BCN.
“It will give young girls hope to continue on in sailing and see what they can get out of it,” says Gemma Jones, who placed fourth in the 2016 Olympic Games and is now a member of Emirates Team New Zealand (ETNZ).
“Females who have made a career in sailing are quite few and from my understanding, it has not been the easiest path.
“For this to be offered to women will really change the face of our sport,” says Liv Mackay, helm for ETNZ.
Teams taking part in Puig Women’s America’s Cup
Joining the six established official participants representing New Zealand, Great Britain (main Image above, courtesy of Athena Pathway via Instagram), Italy, Switzerland, the United States and France are six new teams from Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia.
This video sets out the format of the cup.
“It’s going to be awesome come Saturday to have six boats on the start line. It’s a massive moment,” says Mackay.
“We have all come into this, trained a lot and put a lot into it. So, I think for us we have to have a learning, but attacking, mindset because we feel like we’re learning so much every time we sail. But at the same time, we are extremely competitive.”
High standard of racing expected in Puig Women’s America’s Cup
For trimmer Molly Meech, the team has been so focused on their own preparations that it is only just becoming clear how high the standard of racing will be against some familiar foes.
“I guess it didn’t really hit me until we had the briefing the other day with how many of the other competitors we actually know, and how many we’ve sailed against in different Olympic classes in the past,” says Meech.
“So, it seems pretty special not only to be having them as competitors, the top female sailors in the world, but also to have the team alongside me here. It’s pretty special to be going into this campaign and this regatta together, to see what we can achieve.
“I’m really excited to get out there and to line up with the other six AC teams initially,” she continues.
“I think it’s going to be about how we minimise the mistakes but also progressing and improving as a team throughout this regatta and learning the quickest.”
Mackay adds: “I think there’s definitely a togetherness here. Everyone wants to show, how incredible females can be at the top level of sailing here with the Puig Women’s America’s Cup. And then if you’re honest and super competitive, we want to show the best of our team as well.”
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