SUPPORTER UPDATE – AMERICA’S CUP – ANDOO TEAM AUSTRALIA
4 October – Update
It’s Time! History about to unfold at the Puig Women’s America’s Cup
History is in the making in Barcelona a day away from the start of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup and Andoo Team Australia has taken the stage.
Today our skipper Olivia Price represented not only our team and our nation on stage for the launch media conference, she also stepped into the history books as a member of the first ever 12 nation women’s competition in this prestigious 173 year old sporting event. She acknowledged the significance of the occasion stating “It still gives me goosebumps to be able to say that we are part of history”. She said the opportunity to sail with and against the best women sailors in the world was ‘surreal’ and she welcomed the chance to reconnect Australia’s history with the Cup through the women’s competition to take a step forward and continue to be part of the event in the future.
All 12 skippers spoke of their own lifelong ambitions in their chosen sport and the overwhelming importance of the opportunity to give inspiration to females around the world in sailing. Organisers invited a number of young women to ask the athletes questions via video posts broadcast on stage to connect the future generations of female sailors to the momentous moment.
Price described the experience on the AC40 as exhilarating and the most fun she has ever had sailing. Asked about whether the women should now be considered in the AC75 teams she said this first pathway step was intended to bridge the experience gap and allow women to compete for the same spots as equals in future.
Announcers told the packed media contingent that almost 80 female sailors would be represented in the competition, including 17 Olympic medallists and a haul of 58 World Championship wins amongst the athletes.
Celebrations at Australia’s Opening Cocktail Party
Family, friends and supporters gathered at the Reial Club Nàutic de Barcelona on Wednesday night to celebrate the achievements of the Youth squad and wish the Women’s team success. Thanks to all who attended.
There is plenty going on as the team prepare to race the first of four fleet races on Sunday, October 6. The best way to see all they are up to is to follow their social media links below to stay up to date.
Racing is being broadcast on Fox Sports and Kayo Freebies. Also at www.americascup.com