• Media ID-25983

    WOMEN IN THE AMERICA’S CUP

    For the first time in the 173-year history of the America’s Cup, the 37th edition introduced a stand-alone women’s event: the Puig Women’s America’s Cup. Open to all female athletes, regardless of age, this groundbreaking regatta served as a vital pathway event designed to bridge the experience gap and foster future participation in America’s Cup competitions. It provided female athletes with the opportunity to hone their skills on modern foiling monohulls, both through dedicated simulators and on the water in the AC40 class yachts.

    Women have long held key roles both on the water and shoreside across every team and the wider America’s Cup organisation. With the launch of the Women’s America’s Cup in 2024, a clear pathway can now lead female athletes to the pinnacle of global sailing—the America’s Cup.

  • Media ID-25982

    HISTORY
    TRAILBLAZERS AND PIONEERS

    Women have been part of the America's Cup since as early as 1886 when Susan Henn sailed aboard the Irish Challenger 'Galatea' keeping race timing. In 1893, Enid Wyndham-Quinn sailed on 'Valkyrie II' as a respected crew member. The 1934 America's Cup saw two prominent women: Elizabeth 'Sis' Hovey, the first woman to win an international sailing event, sailed aboard the victorious 'Rainbow', while Phyllis Sopwith sailed aboard 'Endeavour'. Phyllis then returned in 1937 on 'Endeavour II', which was beaten by 'Ranger', where Gertrude Vanderbilt raced on.


    In the modern America's Cup history, Dawn Riley is one of the most iconic figures, playing a pivotal role in advancing gender equality. In 1992, she sailed for 'America3' in the Defender Series and later captained the 'Mighty Mary' IACC campaign in 1995. Riley continued to make her mark in the Cup, leading the 'America True' campaign in 2000 and serving as General Manager for the French 'Areva Challenge' in 2007.

  • Media ID-25981

    THE INAUGURAL PUIG WOMEN’S AMERICA’S CUP
    WINDS OF CHANGE

    During the 37th America’s Cup, each syndicate of the established America’s Cup teams fielded a women’s team: New Zealand, Great Britain, Switzerland, Italy, USA, and France. In addition, six other yacht clubs entered all-female teams from Sweden, Spain, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, and Australia, showcasing global participation.

    The twelve teams were divided into Invited Teams and 37th America’s Cup Teams, competing in a fleet race Selection Series to determine the top three from each group. These teams then advanced to a Semi-Final, followed by a winner-takes-all match race between the top two teams.

    In between races of the 37th America’s Cup Match, the much-anticipated showdown saw Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli (Italy) face Athena Pathway (Great Britain). The women of Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli triumphed, lifting the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup Trophy in a historic victory.

  • Media ID-25935

    DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
    BRIDGING THE GAP

    By 2013, the boats were soaring on foils, pushing load capacities to new extremes, and yet the gender balance continued to decline. Women remained integral in shoreside roles, but with half of the America’s Cup audience being female, the gap on the water was becoming increasingly evident. This gap began to shift at the 2021 regatta, where the raw power of the AC75s was unleashed. Following Emirates Team New Zealand's dominant victory, Grant Dalton and his team recognised the emerging opportunity to drive change.

    This paved the way for the inaugural Puig Women’s America’s Cup, which showcased not only Olympic-level talent but also rising stars from foiling disciplines and windsurfing. This dynamic blend of elite competitors shapes a new pathway to the pinnacle of the sport, redefining the future of sailing, inspiring upcoming generations and captivating audiences.