History was made on the Mediterranean today as the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup saw its first day of racing. The world’s top female sailors, representing 12 teams, raced under the Barcelona sun, and after three thrilling races in Group A, Italy’s Luna Rossa and the UK team have emerged as the early leaders.
In Race 3, the competition was fierce. The UK team took control early, seizing an impressive lead on the first leg. However, their fortunes shifted dramatically after a boundary infringement pushed them back to fourth place, allowing Italy's Luna Rossa to take the lead.
With smooth, tactical sailing, Luna Rossa led the fleet as they rounded the second gate, with Emirates Team New Zealand and Orient Express Team Racing (France) battling it out just behind. Despite a brief setback when their boat touched down, Luna Rossa regained momentum, holding their lead through the final leg.
Clocking speeds of 42 knots, Luna Rossa flew across the finish line in 14 minutes and 3 seconds, securing a crucial victory. The UK team, despite their earlier penalty, made a strong comeback to take second place, finishing 28 seconds behind the Italians. Emirates Team New Zealand, while promising in the early stages, fell behind after incurring a penalty, crossing the line 46 seconds after the UK.
Behind the leaders, Orient Express Team Racing and NYYC American Magic (USA) rounded out the middle of the fleet, while Alinghi (Switzerland) struggled to keep up, finishing nearly two minutes later—a distant reminder of how tight the competition is at the top.
For Luna Rossa, this was their second win of the day, confirming their status as the team to beat. The UK team, with their strong performance, also remains in contention as the competition heats up. Meanwhile, Emirates Team New Zealand consistently placed in the top three but will need to refine their tactics to challenge Luna Rossa and the UK in future races.
The Women’s America’s Cup is just beginning, and all eyes now turn to Race 4, where Luna Rossa and the UK will continue their battle for supremacy. Can the Italians hold their lead, or will the Brits strike back?
Stay tuned for more from Barcelona, and follow the races live as this historic regatta unfolds.
