In a historic moment for women’s sailing, Italy clinched the title of the first-ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup (WAC) champions after an electrifying battle with the UK on the waters of Barcelona.
From the very start, the race was neck and neck. Italy barely edged out ahead at the start, but “barely” was the key word. Despite leading through the first leg, Italy’s advantage was a slim 30 metres—both boats storming ahead at a blistering 26 knots.
Italy was first through the gate at 2:51, but the UK team was right on their heels, showing determination to stay in the game. As the race progressed into the second leg, Italy extended their lead to 100 metres, but the contest remained fierce. This wasn’t just about speed; it was about pride. Earlier in the year, Italy’s men’s team had been sent home after a defeat to the UK, and the women’s team clearly had something to prove.
By the time Italy rounded Gate 2 at 5:26, the UK was just six seconds behind. It was still anyone’s game. The 0.8m swell made conditions tricky, but neither team was backing down. Leg 3 came and went with Italy maintaining their slim lead, though the UK dropped five seconds, a worrying trend that needed correcting fast.
As the teams entered Leg 4, Italy managed to keep their lead steady at 100 metres, showing remarkable control. The UK, however, could not afford to fall further behind. By Gate 4, Italy clocked in at 11:46, with the UK following 11 seconds later—neither gaining nor losing ground. The tension remained sky-high.
Leg 5 saw Italy stretch their lead to 150 metres, leaving the UK needing to pull out something spectacular to catch up. As both boats flew down the final leg, the Italians had their eyes on the prize. With precision and focus, they rounded the final gate at 15:27, and although the UK had fought hard, trailing 19 seconds behind, it wasn’t enough to close the gap.
Italy crossed the finish line at 18:07, securing their place in history as the first winners of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup. The UK finished just eight seconds later, but it was too late. The Italians had sailed a masterful race, maintaining their lead and proving their mettle when it mattered most.
The rivalry between these two teams will no doubt continue to intensify, but for now, Italy reigns supreme, with a well-earned victory to their name.
