Australia’s top sailors fighting for second crack at women’s America’s Cup, results in Barcelona

Shocked Australian sailors hugged and cried when bundled out of the women’s America’s Cup. A quick reset and they were gearing up for a new fight - and another crack at winning the event

The Australian crew at the America's Cup. Picture: Supplied: Nic Douiglass @sailorgirlhq

They lost the battle to make the semi-finals of the women’s America’s Cup but the gutted Australian crew led by Olivia Price are already gearing up for a new fight and to be part of a second event after their historic appearance in the inaugural regatta.

The Australian crew of Price, fellow helm Laura Harding and trimmers Annie Wilmot and Lisa Darmanin were bundled out of the qualifying round after a day of mixed fortunes in tricky winds off Barcelona.

It was a shock result for the Andoo Australian crew who were tipped to be a force in the semi-finals which begin later this week to decide the two boats to fight it out in a one-race finale for the title of women’s champion.

It left Price and her team - which included reserves Nina Curtis, Sarah Hoffman and Zoe Thompson - in tears, highly emotional and with their campaign coming to an abrupt end after just eight races and two days of racing but more than a year of preparation.

The erratic conditions, a premature start, falling off their foils and handling issues due to limited time training in the supplied AC 40 foiling boat conspired against the Australians who competed in the invited teams pool with limited access to the boats.

The Australians at the America's Cup. Picture: Supplied: Nic Douiglass @sailorgirlhq

Price, who competed at the Paris Olympics, said she and the team were looking at the positives of Australia women creating history by just being at the regatta and the inspitation it will provide for a new generation of young sailors.

“We had a really nice moment when we got together and all had a nice hug and obviously released a few tears. It’s obviously an emotional time and it hurts too,” Price said

“But what we do need to do is also just take a moment to celebrate because a lot of people haven’t been able to get this off the ground and to be part of it has been an incredible privilege to represent Australia and inspire young women.”

Olivia Price in a huddle after being beaten for a spot in the semi-finals.

Price, her crew and other women in the America’s Cup still have a major battle on their hand to convince the Defenders of the next Cup to continue with the women’s regatta.

This will be either New Zealand or Great Britain but it is expected both would be open to continuing the event. However, neither has made a concrete commitment.

Price, her crewmates and the sailing community at large must continue their campaign to have the women’s regatta return, while creating a new pathway to success for young sailors with America's Cup aspirations.

The Dutch crew racing in the qualifying rounds. Picture: Supplied: America's Cup.

Price said this could be a AC40 World Series which has been discussed already in an online chat group in the hope of producing a compelling review and strategy to keep the event moving forward.

“There just has to be another, the racing has been incredible and we know people have been watching and enjoying it worldwide,’’ Price said.

“The racing has been insane and intense.

“We know with others sport you give women the chance to perform, they do, and people see it and love it.

“We have started something that just can’t stop. This (the women’s event) has to be part of the Cup going forward.

“We are definitely having conversations. We have a women’s group chat that’s been going up for the last three months and talking about another circuit and what’s next.

“We’re providing feedback already on how, you know, how we could try and improve the performance of everyone.

“I guess, a handover type thing to show that women’s sport and women’s sailing, the women’s Cup, is very much at the forefront of people’s minds.

“We’re definitely heavily involved in those conversations.

“We obviously have to wait to see what happens with the Cup over the next few weeks but we’ll be pushing buttons from the back, from the background, for sure.’’

Australia also competed in the Youth America’s Cup with the crew making it into the semi-finals.

Sydney bsuinessman John Winning Junior has been in Barcelona investigating the possibility of an Australian challenge for the next Amereica’s Cup at a time and venue still to be determined.

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Originally published as Australia’s top sailors fighting for second crack at women’s America’s Cup, results in Barcelona