Historic day for women’s sailing with the winners of the first ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup crowned: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli take the winOctober 12, 2024. 37th America\u2019s Cup -Puig Women’s America’s Cup, Race Day 6 – Final. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Women’s TeamThe build up to today\u2019s Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup has been tough for all the teams \u2013 there have been long days of boats held on shore, teams sent out to race only to sit through long postponements, and a major technical breakdown of the boat used by Athena Pathway which required a major rebuild.
\nThe deciding races to determine which teams would make it through to the Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup match ran late into yesterday afternoon, with the Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli and GBR\u2019s Athena Pathway only securing their spots in the final race of the day. The Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup was decided by one single match race, held between the first and second races of the Louis Vuitton America\u2019s Cup this afternoon.
\nThe Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup Final. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Vs Athena Pathway. Photo: Ian Roman \/ America\u2019s Cup
\nLuna Rossa Prada Pirelli Vs Athena Pathway
\nAlthough this was the first and only two boat match race the Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup, there was little engagement in the pre-start, with both teams opting to focus on sailing cleanly to hit the line at speed.
\nThe Italian Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team were marginally bow forward, and managed to hold onto their lead for the first lap, though the margins remained tight with just 50m between the two boats at the top mark.
\nIn what appeared to be a repeat of the first match race in the America\u2019s Cup series earlier today, the Italians were able to control the race, covering the British squad on the second upwind leg.
\nLuna Rossa Prada Pirelli Women\u2019s Team celebrate winning the Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup. Ian Roman \/ America\u2019s Cup
\n\u201cWhat do I do now?\u201d Athena Pathway skipper Hannah Mills could be heard asking her team, looking for information that might give them any option to try and pass.
\n\u201cWe\u2019re gaining on them in a straight line,\u201d Athena Pathway co-helm Tash Bryant commented on the second downwind, and the Brits did seem to have solid boat speed while the Italian team\u2019s AC40 could be seen bouncing slightly in the building sea state off Barcelona.
\nOn the final upwind, the Athena Pathway headed to the shoreside of the course, apparently into more pressure. The Italians did not cover, and when the two boats crossed back together the deficit was down to 115m.
\nBut despite British attempts to engage the Italians in tacking duel, the Italians didn\u2019t put a foot wrong, and held to take the win by 8 seconds. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli are the first ever Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup winners.
\nItaly win first Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup
\n\u201cI am speechless,\u201d said skipper Giulia Conti after, while her team mates co-helm Margherita Porro, and trimmers Maria Giubilei and Giulia Fava piled into literal emotional bundle of joy on deck.
\n37th America\u2019s Cup: Puig Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup. Photo: Ricardo Pinto \/ America\u2019s Cup
\n\u201cMassive well done to the Italian sailors, what amazing race. Just super proud of everyone \u2013 how they\u2019ve handled themselves and delivered on the world stage,\u201d said Athena Skipper Hannah Mills.
\n\u201cIt\u2019s a been a long, amazing campaign,\u201d she added with emotion. \u201cWe\u2019ve put so much into this, and I\u2019m just so proud of all our team who\u2019ve worked so hard to get us to this point and obviously our friends at INEOS Britannia who\u2019ve helped us as well supporting us in this journey.
\n\u201cI think this for sure just the beginning of women\u2019s sailing in the Cup, and I\u2019m so proud to be part of the first ever women\u2019s event.
\n\u201cObviously gutted to not deliver today, but for the sport and for the young girls watching, this happening \u2013 and it\u2019s going to be your time next.\u201d
\nThe post Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli make history: Italy win first Women\u2019s America\u2019s Cup appeared first on Yachting World.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Historic day for women’s sailing with the winners of the first ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup crowned: Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli take the winOctober 12, 2024. 37th America\u2019s Cup -Puig Women’s America’s Cup, Race Day 6 – Final. Luna Rossa … <\/p>\n