In a sport traditionally dominated by men, this year’s inaugural edition of the Puig Women’s America’s Cup is a true game-changer. For the first time in its 173-year history—the oldest of any continuously held annual sporting event—the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup will feature a women’s competition, giving talented female sailors from across the world a premier platform to prove their skills on the open water.
Concord Pacific, one of Canada’s top real estate developers, is playing a big part in preparing for Team Canada’s entry, and Terry Hui, Concord Pacific’s CEO, is taking the proverbial helm of his firm’s role in this transformative moment.
A passionate sailor himself, Hui views the 2024 Puig Women’s America’s Cup as a great deal more than just a competition for a much-coveted trophy. “We see it as our duty to support the Canadian Women’s Sailing Team,” he is quoted as saying. “The spirit of sailing—conquering nature and challenging oneself—lines up perfectly with Concord Pacific’s brand DNA. It’s about aspiring to be the best. And the fact that this is the first year the America’s Cup has female athletes competing in their own race also fits in lockstep with our stated views regarding equality and inclusion.”
A Milestone for Women’s Sailing
The Canadian Women’s Sailing Team, under the banner of Concord Pacific Racing, will be competing in Barcelona this week, cutting a swathe through the Mediterranean Sea from October 5th to 10th. Team Canada aims to showcase their skills in cutting-edge AC40 boats, which are highly advanced vessels capable of reaching incredible speeds. These sea crafts are some of the most complex and sophisticated in the world, meaning the team will need every ounce of their skill and strength to operate them.
But the challenge at hand doesn’t lie solely with handling the boats. It’s also about breaking barriers. It’s not hyperbolic to say that women have been underrepresented in competitive sailing for the entire length of modernity, and the America’s Cup, as the pinnacle of elite professional sailing, has historically been no different. Short of a scant few moments over the last century and two-thirds, such as Susan Henn bringing her pet monkey and raccoon aboard the Irish boat Galatea in 1886 or American Dawn Riley captaining the Mighty Mary and an all-female crew in 1995, there has been precious little access granted to female sailors in the legendary contest.
But this year’s competition represents a new horizon for the America’s Cup, one long overdue, where female athletes enjoy a high-profile stage to inspire future generations of girls and women. In celebration of this, Team Canada has launched the ‘It’s Time’ campaign in order to highlight the importance of representation in sailing and aiming to raise awareness of the barriers women have faced in the sport, while also showcasing the incredible talent and dedication of female pro sailors.
Concord Pacific’s Vision: Beyond Sailing
As for Concord Pacific’s involvement in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup, it goes well beyond what one might call sponsorship. Although the company assumed the usual role of team sponsor through funding, promotion, and logistical support, CEO Terry Hui’s personal passion for sailing takes his firm’s commitment to the next level. Hui has made it quite clear he believes in using this moment to elevate women’s sports, noting that participation in the America’s Cup could “potentially lead the development of women’s sports globally and breathe new life into traditional competitive sports.” As a real estate mogul with an active and longstanding love for sailing, Hui’s words send a powerful message—that elite sailing isn’t just for men.
But while Hui and Concord Pacific rightfully receive kudos for their support, it’s important not to let that overshadow the athletes who are about to take to the waves. Led by Isabella Bertold, a veteran competitor with multiple national titles and experience in international competitions to her credit, the rest of the team includes Ali Ten Hove, an Olympic sailor; Mariah Millen, another Olympian; Maggie Drinkwater, a seasoned sailor from the Royal Vancouver Yacht Club; and Maura Dewey, a member of Canada’s National Sailing Team since 2017. Regardless of the outcome of the 2024 Puig Women’s America’s Cup, these five trailblazing women will hold a special place not only in the future of Canadian pro sailing, but in the future of women’s sports generally.
So, this coming Saturday, as the Spanish sea sprite flies off the Catalonia coast and the world watches in awe as these gifted female sailors compete in one of the year’s most anticipated sporting events, Terry Hui and his team at Concord Pacific will be watching, as well—no doubt beaming with pride.
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