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Historic Debut for Canada’s Concord Pacific Racing at the Inaugural Puig Women's America's Cup

Canada's Concord Pacific Racing made waves yesterday at the inaugural Puig Women's America's Cup, marking a monumental moment in the 173-year history of the America's Cup—the first-ever women's competition in this prestigious sailing event.


Under the leadership of Isabella Bertold from the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, the Canadian team demonstrated remarkable resilience and grit, navigating penalties and tough conditions. After two fourth-place finishes and an exhilarating third-place result in Race 3, Concord Pacific Racing concluded the day with a sixth-place finish in the final race. They currently hold fifth place on the overall leaderboard, just 11 points behind third-placed Andoo Team Australia, with the opportunity to advance.


"It was a really special day for the history of women's sailing and for our team to be on this stage," said Ali Ten Hove, Concord Pacific Racing's Port Helm. "We could not be more proud to represent Canada and take a step forward for women's sailing. It was amazing to make history with the team."




Overcoming Challenges and Celebrating Success

The day kicked off with hurdles for the team, including a restart penalty that sent them to the back of the fleet in their opening race. Nevertheless, the team fought back, exchanging positions with the Artemis Swedish Challenge. As they approached the final gate, they closed in on Australia, but light winds cut the race short, resulting in a fourth-place finish.


Race 2 brought its own drama, with both Andoo Team Australia and Sail Team BCN receiving penalties for early starts, giving Canada a chance to compete in the top half of the fleet. Despite their efforts, they again finished fourth after a hard-fought battle.


Race 3 was a turning point for the team. After initially falling behind due to a pre-start boundary penalty, Canada made a stunning comeback. With impressive tactical moves, they overtook both the Artemis Swedish Challenge and Team Germany in the final moments, securing a third-place finish.



However, the final race proved to be their biggest test. Canada had a strong start, momentarily holding second place behind the dominant Jajo Team DutchSail.

Unfortunately, a touch-down at the top mark caused them to lose valuable ground. Despite moments of recovery, they crossed the finish line in sixth.


Inspiring Future Generations

The significance of Concord Pacific Racing's participation extends beyond the water. Ahead of the event, Team Canada launched the "It's Time" campaign—an initiative designed to promote women's sports and inspire support as they take on the challenges of the Puig Women's America's Cup.



"It's about time women were showcased on this platform," Bertold remarked. "This campaign aims to highlight the incredible talent within our team and provide young girls with role models. If you can see it, you can be it, and we want to inspire aspiring female athletes to reach for the highest levels of competition."


The "It's Time" campaign, active on YouTube and Instagram, seeks to enhance visibility for women's sports, responding to a growing demand for representation. A 2023 report from Canadian Women & Sport indicates that 2 in 3 Canadians are fans of women's sports, with a strong push for increased visibility.


"We extend our congratulations to Emirates Team New Zealand for their leadership in creating this historic moment," said Terry Hui, President and CEO of Concord Pacific Developments. "This occasion transcends competition; it breaks down barriers and opens new career opportunities that have historically been limited to men."


Follow the Action

Fans across Canada can catch the Puig Women's America's Cup live on TELUS Optik TV, TSN, the official America's Cup website, and YouTube. The "It's Time" campaign also encourages fans to share their stories and support for women's sports using the hashtag #ItsTime, amplifying the message of gender equity and the significance of visibility for women in athletics.




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