Opinion
I love sailing. I’ve loved sailing for many years. Whether it’s watching or taking part, there’s something about the sport that captivates me. Over the years, I’ve followed every iteration of the America’s Cup, marvelling at the skill, the technology, and the fierce competition. So, when the Youth America’s Cup and Women’s America’s Cup kicked off recently, I was thrilled. Watching young sailors from around the globe, and especially the talented women, brought a fresh energy to the event.
But as much as I’ve enjoyed these competitions, I have some serious concerns about how the Women’s America’s Cup has been handled, particularly during the latter stages of the Group A racing and the Semi-Finals. The disorganisation that marred the event not only robbed teams of fair competition but also left fans like me feeling frustrated and, frankly, a little disrespected.
Group A: Short-Changed and Cut Off Early
While Group B – composed of invited teams – had the luxury of a full regatta, including an eight-race series, Group A (the teams from America’s Cup competing countries) was treated quite differently. Initially scheduled for a full set of races, Group A only completed four races before things began to fall apart. Over the following two days, just two more races were completed, and the series was abruptly terminated two races short. It was a far cry from the full competition that had been promised.
Take Switzerland’s Alinghi Red Bull Racing Women’s team, for example. They had a rough start but were beginning to find their footing. By the end of the shortened competition, they were tied with New Zealand for third place, showing real promise. Yet, due to a mathematical quirk in the scoring system and New Zealand’s slight edge, the Kiwis advanced to the Semi-Finals, while the Swiss were left high and dry.
Had there been even one more race, as originally planned, it’s highly likely Switzerland could have overtaken New Zealand and earned their rightful spot in the Semi-Finals. The decision to cut the racing short wasn’t just unfair to the teams – it was a disservice to the fans who had invested their time in watching and supporting these sailors.
The Chaos of the Semi-Finals
As if the Group A fiasco wasn’t enough, the Semi-Finals were even more disorganised. After the abrupt conclusion of the match racing, we were treated to a last-minute, hastily arranged “quick-fire” round of races. These races, held in the evening outside normal racing hours, weren’t even properly announced. I, along with many other viewers, had no idea they were happening until they were practically over. The commentators themselves had signed off for the day, wishing us well and telling us to tune in tomorrow for the Semi-Finals – only for those very races to take place just minutes later!
Even worse, there are still no replays of these early Semi-Final races available online. It feels as though the organisers scrambled to squeeze in the Semi-Finals at the last minute, leaving both the competitors and the audience confused and dissatisfied. I can’t help but feel that the women’s competition was treated as an afterthought, something to tick off the list rather than a legitimate and important part of the America’s Cup.
The Right Result – Eventually
Thankfully, the final of the Women’s America’s Cup did deliver the result we expected. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, by far the most consistent and dominant team throughout the competition, took the title. It was a well-deserved victory for a team that had shown exceptional skill from start to finish. But even that result couldn’t erase the bad taste left by the disorganisation leading up to it.
As a fan, I’m deeply disappointed in the America’s Cup organisers. They’ve put on spectacular shows in the past, from the Louis Vuitton Cup to the America’s Cup itself. They know how to run a world-class event. But this time, they dropped the ball. The women’s competition deserved better – the sailors deserved better – and we, the fans, deserved better.
From where I stand, as a “Girl Dad,” it feels like the women’s event was given second-tier status. Yes, we’re all excited for the main event, the AC37, but that doesn’t mean the women’s competition should be an afterthought. The women racing on these boats are some of the most talented sailors in the world, and they deserve the same respect and attention as their male counterparts.
In the end, this wasn’t just about a poorly run event. It was about the message that was sent – that the women’s races weren’t as important, that their achievements weren’t as valued. And that’s a message I’m not okay with. I can only hope that future regattas will do better. Because the women’s sailing community deserves nothing less.
