Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Puig Women's America's Cup Final - Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. Athena Pathway

by Mark Jardine 12 Oct 2024 15:00 BST 12 October 2024
Puig Women's America's Cup Final - October 12, 2024 © Ian Roman / America's Cup

After a week of AC40 fleet racing, it was all down to a single match race to decide the winner of the Puig Women's America's Cup.

With the Italians late into the box, there was opportunity for the British to go on the attack, but instead decided to keep it clean and employ their own game plan.

The two teams then took their line-up, with Luna Rossa ahead and to leeward as they crossed the line at almost exactly the same time and speed. With the Italians to leeward, they managed to use a high mode, giving the British disturbed air. The two teams tacked in unison at the boundary with just 29 metres separating them.

Luna Rossa showed the superb boatspeed they have all week, extending in a straight line, but Athena Pathway gained with a pair of tacks into the first windward gate, rounding just six seconds behind.

The British team kept it tight downwind, but the Italians calmly controlled the race on the second upwind leg, matching their opponents tack for tack and extending their lead to eleven seconds at the second windward gate, splitting choice of marks to round.

Luna Rossa had a brief touchdown in the big waves, allowing Athena Pathway to close the gap down to just 60 metres on the second downwind leg, with the British team choosing the opposite leeward gate mark to round, sailing into more pressure. This was the first time the Brits had clear air to sail in.

When the boats re-engaged, Luna Rossa had slightly extended their lead, and when they tacked, Athena Pathway tacked away from them, keeping their air clear, but time was running out for the Brits.

At the final windward gate Luna Rossa rounded nineteen seconds ahead, and only to keep it clear on the downwind to the finish to win the trophy.

Athena Pathway attacked as hard as they could, reducing the deficit to just 100 metres, but Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli went on to win the inaugural Puig Women's America's Cup by eight seconds.

There was jubilation and celebration on board the Italian boat after the finish. They had sailed superbly.

Italian skipper Giulia Conti said after the finish, "Speechless. We've worked so hard with the boys helping us all the time. I cannot believe it.

On her teammates Conti added, They are unbelievable, amazing sailors. I love them so much. This is the strength of this team, the cohesion is unique. I've never experienced something like this in my whole sailing career."

British skipper Hannah Mills was gracious in defeat, "Massive well done to Giulia and the Italians. What an amazing race. I'm so proud of all the competitors in this women's event, how everyone has handled themselves and how everyone has really delivered on the world stage."

Related Articles

America's Cup: Burling leaves Team NZ
Emirates Team New Zealand and Peter Burling have today confirmed that they have agreed to part ways Emirates Team New Zealand and Peter Burling have today confirmed that they have agreed to part ways ahead of the 38th America's Cup. Posted on 11 Apr
America's Cup NZ Govt declines to fund Auckland
Emirates Team NZ have confirmed that NZ Government has refused funding for the 38th America's Cup. Emirates Team New Zealand has confirmed that MBIE and Central Government have decided not to back the 38th America's Cup hosting in Auckland. Naples and Athens tipped as venues by European media. Posted on 31 Mar
Auckland in venue bid for 38th America's Cup
Events arm of Auckland Council, has confirmed that they are part of a group bidding to hold AC38 Nick Hill, Tataki Auckland Unlimited Chief Executive, the Events arm of Auckland Council, has confirmed that they are part of a group bidding to hold the America's Cup in Auckland. Posted on 5 Mar
€1billion payday for Barcelona from AC37
Study says Barcelona reaps hefty economic return from 2024 America's Cup The University of Barcelona and the Barcelona Capital Nàutica Foundation (FBCN) have released the outcome of their post event economic impact study which reveals over €1 billion positive economic GDP return from AC37 for the host venue Barcelona. Posted on 4 Mar
Cup Spy: Top coach looks at the rise of the Brits
Challenger Finals for the Louis Vuitton Cup - why the Brits were formidable In this interview we cover the Challenger Finals for the Louis Vuitton Cup - why they panned out the way they did, and why INEOS Britannia was so formidable. Posted on 20 Feb
America's Cup: INEOS being sued
New Zealand Rugby owner of the All Blacks brand says it is suing INEOS Following the much publicised split in the INEOS Britannia America's Cup team, NZ Rugby has revealed that it is taking legal action against INEOS [Group], for alleged breach of a $USD36million ($NZD63m) sponsorship deal. Posted on 11 Feb
Cup Spy: Fans get their patience tested
Fans got well used to the sight of AC75s falling off their foils - the Cup is off its foils now. America's Cup fans got well used to the sight of AC75s falling off their foils in the lighter moments of Barcelona. They were cringe-worthy moments. The Cup is well and truly off its foils now. Posted on 8 Feb
America's Cup: War of the Roses - a brief truce?
The embattled Houses of Ratcliffe and Ainslie are expected to stage a brief truce, this weekend The embattled Houses of Ratcliffe and Ainslie are expected to stage a brief truce, this weekend, for the first meeting of the teams involved in the 2027 America's Cup. Posted on 31 Jan
America's Cup: CEO ousting starts War of the Roses
A previously strong British America's Cup effort has nosedived after an acrimonious split A split between the skipper and backer of the 2024 British America's Cup team has significant implications for the Cup as two Knights of the Realm line up with legal lances ready for a bloody joust. Posted on 23 Jan
Dalton reflects on another extraordinary year
ETNZ managed an unprecedented third successive America's Cup victory winning 7-2 2024 has been another extraordinary year for Emirates Team New Zealand which managed an unprecedented third successive America's Cup victory winning 7-2 in the Louis Vuitton 37th America's Cup against INEOS Britannia in Barcelona. Posted on 20 Dec 2024