Women's America's Cup begins in Barcelona

The inaugural Women's America's Cup kicked off this weekend in Barcelona, marking a historic moment in the 173-year history of the America's Cup. For the first time, a dedicated women's event is being held, featuring some of the world's best female sailors, including 17 Olympic medalists.

After these races, the Netherlands leads Group B with 27 points, followed closely by Spain and Australia. The Dutch team secured victories in the final two of four races, showcasing their skill and adaptability in the AC40 foiling yachts.

Group A, which includes America's Cup teams from New Zealand, Great Britain, Switzerland, the U.S., Italy, and France, saw Italy dominating with three wins, putting them at the top with 33 points.

The competition is divided into two groups: Group A with established America's Cup teams, and Group B with invited teams from Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, Germany, Sweden, and Australia. The top three teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, followed by the finals on October 13.

Those races were characterized by close competition and some dramatic moments, including near-splashdowns and protests. The Dutch team's performance was particularly noteworthy, as they managed to avoid penalties and secure back-to-back victories.

Olivia Price, co-helm of the Australian team, expressed her excitement about the event, describing it as a dream come true despite the challenges of mastering the AC40s in competitive sailing.

The event has already showcased intense rivalries, with Spain and the Netherlands engaged in a particularly close duel. Throughout the day, teams grappled with controlling their foiling yachts, leading to some spectacular moments and close calls.