Preparing for the challenge ahead

The inaugural Women’s America’s Cup will have 12 entrants – six teams supported by America’s Cup campaigns and six independent crews. Among the latter group is Concord Pacific Racing with Ali Ten Hove sharing the Canadian team’s shift from simulator training to real-world racing and virtual regattas in August:

August has been a crucial month for Concord Pacific Racing. As the competition draws nearer, we’ve been working tirelessly to translate our extensive simulator training into real-world sailing. The journey has been both exciting and challenging, and I’m excited to share our progress and experiences with you.

‍After spending so many hours on the simulator, we finally had the chance to sail on an AC40. The transition from virtual to real-world sailing was smoother than we expected. I’m blown away by how accurate the simulator is—it’s incredible.

This seamless transition meant that our motor skills and muscle memory transferred well to the boat. We were focused on safety, so we didn’t push any tight maneuvers, but even within those limits, we managed to hit a top speed of 40 knots downwind, which was crazy! My previous best was 22 knots in the 49erFX, so this was a big leap.

Sailing with my former Olympic teammate Mariah Millen again was a real highlight for me. We’ve been through a lot together, and it felt so natural to sync up on the boat. However, we had to tone down our constant back-and-forth chatter—something we’ve always done as a pair but isn’t as practical now that we’re part of a larger crew. It really felt like sailing a FX when I was driving the boat downwind, which made the experience even more thrilling.
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Coming from an Olympic campaign where the more hours you put in, the more confidence you gain, it’s tough not having a physical boat to train on full-time. We’re racing against teams that have had their boats all along, which can be intimidating. However, I’m confident in the work we’ve put in on the simulator and how it’s translated to the water. It’s challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to see our hard work pay off in real-world conditions.

After our time on the water, we shifted our focus back to the simulator to prepare for the upcoming virtual regatta. Racing against the top teams went well, and we learned a lot, especially with the boundary racing style, which is new to many of us.

One of the most exciting moments was winning a light-wind race by a significant margin, only to be hit by a glitch on the simulator that scored us as DNF. It was frustrating, but it also showed us that we have what it takes to compete at a high level and gave us plenty of confidence.
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After the virtual regatta, we took some time off to recharge. I flew home to Canada, where I’ve been staying active and getting as much time on the water as possible. Burnout prevention is always on our radar as athletes. The training we’ve been doing since May involves long hours in front of screens during simulator sessions, so staying physically fit is essential to maintaining mental sharpness.

I’ve been doing some wing foiling and hope to get out on a WASZP while I’m home to refine my foiling skills. Keeping active with different sports and spending time with family has been key to staying fresh and motivated.

As we prepare to return to Barcelona in a few weeks, our focus will shift to supporting the youth team during the Youth America’s Cup (begins Sept. 17). While we won’t have direct access to the base, we’ll be there cheering them on, analyzing their races, and gathering as much information as possible. Their experience on the water will provide valuable insights that we can use to refine our strategies for the Women’s America’s Cup (begins Oct. 5).

‍Barcelona is buzzing with America’s Cup fever. Everywhere you go, you can feel the excitement building, especially down by the waterfront where massive race villages have been set up. The America’s Cup is everywhere, with huge crowds, big screens, and people from all over the world dressed in their team gear. The atmosphere is electric, with supporters of all ages coming together to celebrate this incredible event.

However, the Women’s America’s Cup isn’t as widely known yet. I believe that will change as we get closer to the event, especially once the Youth America’s Cup begins. I’ve had the chance to interact with spectators, and it’s been fun to see their reactions.

In one interview, I asked people when they thought the first Women’s America’s Cup happened. The answers were all over the place—one person guessed 1985! We’ve got some work to do to show people we’re making history, but that will come soon enough I’m sure.
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As we enter this final phase of preparation, we’re ready to give it our all and show the world what Concord Pacific Racing is capable of. The virtual regatta has not only sharpened our competitive edge but also strengthened our resolve to perform at our best on the world stage. The support we’ve received from our partners and fans has been incredible, and it’s driving us to push harder.

Following the publication of the AC37 Protocol and AC75 Class Rule on November 17, 2021, the AC75 Class Rule and AC Technical Regulations were finalized on March 17, 2022. The entry period was from December 1, 2021 until July 31, 2022, but late entries for the 37th America’s Cup could be accepted until May 31, 2023. The Defender was to announce the Match Venue on September 17, 2021 but postponed the reveal, finally confirming Barcelona on March 30, 2022. The 37th America’s Cup begins October 12, 2024.

Teams revealed to challenge defender Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL):
• INEOS Britannia (GBR)
• Alinghi Red Bull Racing (SUI)
• Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli Team (ITA)
• NYYC American Magic (USA)
• Orient Express Racing Team (FRA)

2023-24 Preliminary Regattas
September 14-17, 2023 (AC40): Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain
November 30-December 2 (AC40): Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
August 22-25, 2024 (AC75): Barcelona, Spain

2024 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series
August 29-September 8: Double Round Robin
September 14-19: Semi Finals (Best of 9)
September 26-October 7: Finals (Best of 13)

2024 America’s Cup
October 12-21: 37th Match (Best of 13)

For competition details, click here.

Additionally, 12 teams will compete in the 2024 Youth & Women’s America’s Cup.

Noticeboard: https://ac37noticeboard.acofficials.org/
Event details: www.americascup.com/en/home