Puig Women's America's Cup Final - Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli vs. Athena Pathway
by Mark Jardine 13 Oct 2024 03:00 NZDT
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."