Canada's Concord Pacific Racing set to make history

Canada is on the brink of making history as Concord Pacific Racing prepares to compete in the first-ever Puig Women’s America’s Cup, marking a new chapter in the 173-year history of the world’s oldest international sporting competition.

Led by veteran sailor Isabella Bertold and representing the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club as Yacht Club of Record, the Canadian team will be one of the first women’s crews to race in this groundbreaking event in world sailing.

“It’s about time women were on this stage,” said Bertold. “This isn’t just about competing—it’s about breaking barriers and showing that women belong at the highest level of sailing. We’re not just making history for Canada, but for every young girl who dreams of being part of this sport.”

It’s the culmination of a project more than two years in the making, with Bertold working on this project since early 2022, when she first heard about the possibility of a Women's America’s Cup. “The idea was planted in my mind in February 2022, and since then, it’s been an incredible journey of building this team and programme from scratch. The amount of work that’s gone on behind the scenes to get us to this point is almost hard to believe,” she shared.

The team has been rigorously preparing for this historic moment, training on the high-performance AC40 foiling monohull this week, which can fly above the water at speeds exceeding 80 kph. Despite limited on-water training time, Bertold is confident in the team's readiness. "We’ve had to learn fast," she said. "Every day counts, and the progression we’ve made has been incredible. Earlier this week, we hit 44 knots (81 kph) downwind, and we’re feeling strong and focused."

A key aspect of their preparation has been the use of a simulator, allowing the team to fine-tune their communication and skills. “The teamwork we’ve developed in the simulator has translated well to the boat,” Bertold said. “It’s been a steep learning curve, but we’ve built a cohesive team. When we’re out there, it’s about trusting each other and staying calm when the boat is flying above the water.”

As the team looks ahead to the competition, Bertold remains optimistic. “The competition is fierce, but we’re ready to prove ourselves on the world stage. We’ve got the skill, the preparation, and the determination to make our mark in this event.”

The confirmed Concord Pacific Racing Women’s Team for the 2024 Puig Women’s America’s Cup is:

Isabella Bertold (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club, Captain)
Ali Ten Hove (Kingston Yacht Club)
Mariah Millen (Royal Canadian Yacht Club)
Maura Dewey (Royal Victoria Yacht Club)

Spare sailors:

Maggie Drinkwater (Royal Vancouver Yacht Club)
Georgia Lewin-LaFrance (Chester Yacht Club / Royal Nova Scotia Yacht Squadron)

The Puig Women’s America’s Cup features two types of competitors: America’s Cup syndicate teams and invited teams. Syndicate teams, such as Emirates Team New Zealand and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, have close ties to the senior America’s Cup teams, giving them more time and resources on the AC40 boats. Invited teams, like Concord Pacific Racing, have relied heavily on simulators to sharpen their performance due to limited boat access. Nevertheless, invited teams have the chance to disrupt the established order and showcase their skills on the global stage.

The competition kicks off this Saturday with qualification races. Concord Pacific Racing will take to the water for the first time on Sunday, with the top three teams from their pool of six advancing to the semi-finals. The event concludes with a match-race final on October 13, crowning the first-ever Women’s America’s Cup champion.

“We’ve had less time on the water compared to some of the other teams, but we’ve made the most of every opportunity,” Bertold said. “We’ve worked incredibly hard in the simulator, and the progress we’ve made has been fast. Now, we’re ready to show what we can do.”

Bertold was quick to acknowledge the key supporters who helped get the programme off the ground. "We wouldn’t be here without the incredible backing from our sponsors and donors," she said. "Terry Hui, CEO of Concord Pacific, has been instrumental, not only in providing financial support but in opening doors and helping us connect with the right people. RBC, TELUS, and Dilawri have also been amazing partners, fully aligned with our vision of gender equity and helping us get to where we are today.”

Earlier this week, the team launched the “It’s Time” campaign, a bold rallying call to inspire the next generation of female athletes and challenge the status quo in a traditionally male-dominated sport. The campaign, which has already struck a chord with audiences across Canada, is a powerful push for increased visibility and support for women in sailing.

"We’re excited to have the support of fans back home, and we can’t wait to show the world what Canada’s women can achieve on the water,” said Bertold. “This is a defining moment, not only for our team but for women’s sport everywhere.”