The Balearic Sailors Make a Grand Debut at the Women's America's Cup

The Sail Team BCN has made a dream debut at the Women's America's Cup. The Spanish sailboat finished the first day of the qualifying phase second overall after achieving three second places and one fourth place in the four races of the day.

The sailors from Club Nàutic S’Arenal, Silvia Mas and Paula Barceló, the sailor from Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, Neus Ballester, and María Cantero have made history by becoming the first Spanish crew members of the America's Cup and have shown tremendous maturity on board that allowed them to be the most consistent team of the day, only surpassed in the provisional overall by the team from the Netherlands.

The fluidity in communication on board was one of the keys to Sail Team BCN's strong performance, as Paula Barceló acknowledged after the races. “Communication on the boat has been one of our strong points, although at times it seemed there was a bit of chaos, there was always a good call depending on the wind conditions. On a day of difficult conditions as we have had, with many ups and downs of the wind, it has been a key factor in keeping us on the foils and moving forward. The truth is that the team is very encouraged and eager to face the second day.”

Sail Team BCN will play for qualification this Tuesday, October 8, as the Race Committee has canceled the races scheduled for this Monday, October 7, due to lack of wind. Tomorrow the other four races of the qualifying phase for Group B are scheduled, of which the Spanish team and the other five teams that do not depend on a major America's Cup team are part. The top three finishers at the end of this round will qualify for the semifinals, where they will compete against the top three from Group A on Friday, October 11, in four more fleet races. The top two from the semifinals will face each other in the final match race next Sunday, October 13.

Group B standings of the Women's America's Cup after four races:

1. Jajo (NED), 27
2. Sail Team BCN (ESP), 24
3. Andoo (AUS), 23
4. Swedish Challenge (SWE), 21
5. Concord Pacific (CAN), 11
6. Team Germany (GER), 6