Starting in September, Sitges will show it’s support for the 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona through hosting the Spanish Female and Youth Team that will compete in the Youth & PUIG Woman’s America’s Cup Regattas.
In its 172-year history, female crews had never before competed in the America’s Cup. Port de Sitges will host the first nautical base for the Spanish female team.
Sail Team BCN, the Spanish team competing in the Youth & PUIG Woman’s America’s Cup Regattas, has chosen Port de Sitges as the training headquarters for the Spanish female & youth (under 25) teams for the 37th America’s Cup. This is an unprecedented event, as in the 172-year history of the America’s Cup, there will be a dedicated Woman’s America’s Cup. This appointment is of great importance to Sitges as it automatically makes Port de Sitges-Aiguadolç the first home port for a Spanish female team in the 37th America’s Cup.
“We are delighted to partner with Sail Team BCN,” said Albert Bertran, CEO of Port de Sitges-Aiguadolç. “Port de Sitges was chosen among other candidates on the Catalan coast thanks to its perfect combination of state-of-the-art facilities, environmental commitment aligned with the main sponsor of Sail Team, ‘Foundation Zero,’ and Sitges’ globally recognized tourism and hospitality tradition. We will undoubtedly meet the high standards of such a prestigious event and, of course, be ready to assist the Spanish team on this historic journey to the 37th America’s Cup.”
The nautical base has been set up in front of the iconic Captaincy Tower of the Port, a highly visible location carefully chosen so that citizens and the general public can get closer and become familiar with the team and its nautical operations center. The base will initially be in place from September to December, but both parties can extend the agreement until May-June 2024, when the team will move to Barcelona to compete in the Youth & PUIG Woman’s America’s Cup Regattas.
Guillermo Altadill, Team Principal of Sail Team BCN, also expressed his enthusiasm. “Port de Sitges is an ideal location for our training camp. Its proximity to Barcelona, combined with its top-notch facilities and inspiring environment, will undoubtedly contribute to our preparation for the America’s Cup. This unique setting will play a crucial role in our path to success,” Altadill stated.
Furthermore, Sail Team BCN and its main sponsor, Foundation Zero, are fully committed to sustainability, making Port de Sitges-Aiguadolç the perfect partner as they share the same environmental values and goals for the care of our seas. An example is the new state-of-the-art towers recently installed at the port, made entirely from recycled material extracted from bottle caps found in the sea, which facilitate responsible and controlled use of water and electricity.
Starting in October, once the preliminary regatta in Vilanova i la Geltrú is completed, training and selection for the Spanish female and youth teams will begin. Sailors from across Spain will be training in Sitges for the coming months to ensure that Spanish sailing is competitive at the Youth & PUIG Woman’s America’s Cup Regattas next year.
Port de Sitges-Aiguadolç, which recently extended its concession until 2041, is in the midst of a process of renovating and improving its facilities with an investment of around twenty million euros. This will enhance concepts such as SmartPort, GreenPort, or TwentyPort (lengths ranging from 20-30 meters) to once again make Port de Sitges a benchmark in the Mediterranean and a 21st-century port.
Gustavo Marques – Sail Team BCN , Stewart Hosford – CEO Sail Team BCN, Guillermo Altadill – Team Principle Sail Team BCN, Monica Azon – Women´s Coach Sail Team BCN, Albert Bertran – CEO of Port de Sitges, David Vellet – Port de Sitges Captain & Florenci Almunia – President of Club Nautic Sitges
Albert Bertran CEO of Port de Sitges & Guillermo Altadill – Team Principle
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