Sitges, Tuesday 11th June 2024.

Neus Ballester, Paula Barceló Martín, Támara Echegoyen, Nicole van der Velden, Maria Cantero Izquierdo & Silvia Mas

Sail Team BCN announce Nicole van der Velden to join the women’s squad for the
first ever Women’s America’ Cup in Barcelona later this year.

Van der Velden joins the five strong squad of Tamara Echegoyen, Paula Barcelo,
Neus Ballester, Silvia Mas and Maria Cantero.

Born in Madrid, but raised in Aruba, Van der Velden competed in Nacra 17 in the
2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janerio, after which she switched to the 49er FX and
most recently has focused on competing in Sail GP for the Spanish team.

Van der Velden said; “It is a privilege to join this squad of amazing Spanish female
sailors and to be part of the first ever Spanish Women’s America’s Cup Team.
It is also incredible that our country will be hosting the inaugural women’s America’s
Cup in Barcelona, I am really looking forward to the competition.”

Team Manager Ross Daniel said, “We are delighted to formally announce Nicole as
part of Sail Team BCN. Nicole brings valuable experience from competing in the
Olympics and the Sail GP circuit and completes our already strong line up of
amazing female sailors. I am looking forward to watching the team progress and
compete in the first ever Women’s America’s Cup in October.”

Sail Team BCN announced their Youth team earlier this year, and with both squads
finalised, the team continue to focus their training on the water and on the AC40
simulator ahead of the Youth and Women’s competitions which take place in
September and October.