A visit with legends
In Barcelona, it’s no surprise that there is one home team in a class by itself: FC Barcelona.
So it was a special experience on Wednesday when top female sailors from Alinghi Red Bull Racing taking part in selection trials for the Swiss Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup teams headed to the training grounds of Barça for a mid-day visit.
A total of eight sailors visited with the players of Barça Femení at their famous training center, Estadi Johan Cruyff, and the practice facility of FC Barcelona, la Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper. The activities included a short tour and exchange of experiences with the Barça women’s team about competing at the highest level of global sport.
“As an elite athlete, you have an understanding of how much work they put in and being at the top of their game all year round winning those matches, so just a huge amount of respect to them,” said Anja von Allmen.
FC Barcelona are the reigning titleholders of the Women’s Champions League and currently sit top of the table in Spain’s Liga F. The team’s roster features eight members of the Spanish World Cup-winning side including global stars Alexia Putellas, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey among them.
Aside from exchanging ideas about competing at the highest level of global sport, they talked about the impressive growth of women’s football and women’s sports overall during the past few years.
“For me, it’s been really satisfying to watch women’s sport in general grow,” said von Allmen. “The football World Cup for the women this summer was spectacular with so many viewers. It’s really growing and so many opportunities arise for young girls from that. It’s great to see our sport also pushing a lot of different programs like the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup, which I think is phenomenal.”
Members of the sailing team informed Barça players about their on-going selection trials and praised the America’s Cup atmosphere already building at the marina area of Port Vell. They also invited Barcelona players to the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team base for a reciprocal visit.
“Alinghi Red Bull Racing was the first team to open a base here in Barcelona. That makes it a bit like a home game, so it’s nice to come here and spend time with locals,” said von Allmen. “The Cup is about spending time on-site and learning the venue. Having it feel like home is a proper advantage.”
“It has been very enriching to have the opportunity to exchange experiences with the Alinghi Red Bull Racing women's team,” said FC Barcelona forward Esmee Brugts, “Even though football and sailing are two very different sports, we have been able to share that the key to success is in professionalization and in enjoying our own structure dedicated to the team.”
The Alinghi Red Bull Racing selection trials for the Youth & Women’s America’s Cup finish up today. The final team announcement is scheduled in 10 days.