Concord Pacific Racing Women’s athlete, Ali Ten Hove, shares the team's strategic shift from intense simulator training to real-world racing and virtual regattas in August. Discover the behind-the-scenes challenges, surprising victories, and the innovative ways they’re preparing to stay competitive against formidable odds.

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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.

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Transitioning from Sim to Sea: A Pleasant Surprise

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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 manoeuvres, 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 FX, so this was a big leap.

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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 49er when I was driving the boat downwind, which made the experience even more thrilling.

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Challenges of the Campaign: Building Confidence Without a Boat

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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.

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Back to the Simulator: Racing and Refining

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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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Balancing Work and Rest

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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.

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Supporting the Youth Team: Learning Together

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As we prepare to return to Barcelona in a few weeks, our focus will shift to supporting the youth team during the UniCredit Youth America’s Cup. While we won’t have direct access to the base, we’ll be there cheering them on, analysing 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 Puig Women’s America’s Cup.

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The Growing Excitement in Barcelona

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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 Puig 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 UniCredit 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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Looking Ahead: Ready to Make You Proud

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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.

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Thank you for your continued support. We can’t wait to make you proud!

Ali Ten Hove

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