The administrations do not tire of saying that the America's Cup will not only permeate Barcelona, but that the city will also imprint its spirit on the regatta. One of the most palpable examples will be the first women's competition, the Puig Women's America's Cup, with more than 70 sailors distributed among 12 participating teams, including a local one, the Sail Team BCN. "I have no doubt that it will be a turning point for our sport," remarks the coordinator of the women's regatta, Abby Ehler.
Since 1995, no woman had participated in this sporting competition, the oldest in the world and one of the most internationally far-reaching, only behind the football World Cups and the Olympics. Throughout the more than 170 years of America's Cup history, female sailors have been present, but sporadically, a pending issue that will begin to be remedied in this 37th edition. They will compete aboard AC40s, boats also used by youth teams, characterized by being smaller than those the men's teams will have.
"The America's Cup is the most important event in the world of sailing. Since I was very little, I have followed it and only saw men. I would never have imagined competing and, furthermore, doing it at home, in Barcelona. It's a dream come true," explains one of the members of Sail Team BCN, Silvia Mas. The Spanish team is completed by Támara Echegoyen, Neus Ballester, Maria Cantero, and Paula Barceló. The other participating countries will be New Zealand, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, the United States, France, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia. "They will inspire future generations," adds Ehler.
Puig, a company with a long tradition in the world of sailing and with its owners as a key piece in the choice of Barcelona as host, will be the main sponsor of the women's nautical competition, scheduled from October 5 to October 13. "We got involved immediately in this project. It fits us like a glove. It will be a success," explains Marc Puig, the executive president of a company that has just gone public. "We are a brand of cosmetic and fashion products, and most of our consumers are female. In addition, more than 70% of the 11,000 people who work in the company are women," highlights Marc Puig, accompanied by fellow businessman Daniel Puig, one of the first to get involved in attracting the host team, Emirates Team New Zealand, to the Catalan capital.
With the competition days getting closer, which will coincide with the men's team regatta, the Puig Women's America's Cup has unveiled what the trophy the winners will take home will be. It was designed by the Asturian designer and architect Patricia Urquiola, based in Italy, who wanted to link it to the Mediterranean Sea and defined its lines so that "they open like a large sail." Above all, she designed it without handles or a base, so that "it can be lifted with both hands but also embraced."