The 12 women who will be sailing the AC75s this weekend in the first Women's America's Cup have never sailed the AC75s that their male counterparts use.

They aim to change that by the time of the next America's Cup by showing off their racing abilities in the smaller AC40 foiling boat they will be using in the Mediterranean, near Barcelona, in the coming week.

The Swiss skipper Nathalie Brugge said, "I've never been on the boat, so I can't tell you how cool and exciting it is. But from the outside, it looks great," after a hand-show revealed that none of the twelve had had the chance.

"We all want the 75s to sail for the next campaigns." "I can't wait for women to sail on big boats in the next campaign," said French skipper Manon Audnet at the launch event of the women's race, which boasts seventeen Olympic medalists.

Audinet said: "This is a great way to bridge the experience gap we've seen in the past 173 years." He added: "Why not start training women alongside men, so we can be one and compete as equals for the same positions? ".

Women have participated in past America's Cups, but the event is dominated by males. Physical demands and the lack of women who possess the required experience were cited as reasons for this historic imbalance.

Four of the eight sailors competing in the most recent edition of the America's Cup play roles that do not depend on their strength. This opens up new opportunities for women.

The women who have been selected to compete in the AC40 race, where two co-helms are paired with two sail trimmers on opposite sides, will push through this door.

Hannah Mills is also a member of Britain's SailGP Team. She said: "This regatta has been a great step forward in closing that gap, and showing the world just what women can do. We all feel a responsibility to show that."

"We have to make this the best event we can. Talk about it. Shout about it. Tell everyone what's happening and why it is important to gain momentum going forward," said Mills whose crew won Saturday's first race. (Reporting and editing by Andrew Cawthorne; Alexander Smith)

(source: Reuters)