SUI-100 launched at the base in Valencia

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat on 18 Mar 2007
On Saturday 17 March, SUI-100, Alinghi’s latest and last new build, was launched at the base in Valencia. Syndicate head Ernesto Bertarelli’s wife, Kirsty, joined the team to christen the boat, the first to have a three digit sail number in the history of the Class.

'God bless SUI100, all those that have worked on her and all those that will sail her. Good luck!' she declared as she smashed a bottle of Moët & Chandon over the bow.

'This is a great day for Alinghi. It is the culmination of more than three years of work from the design team, the Alinghi boatbuilding team with input from the sailors,' said Michel Marie, shore crew coordinator. The Alinghi boatbuilding team has managed the building process along with the Décision boatyard in Switzerland, this project has taken over 20,000 man hours.

The christening marks the beginning of the sailing season for Alinghi in Valencia after a highly beneficial winter of training in Dubai, 'We intend to get SUI-100 out and sailing as soon as possible against SUI91. We want to see for ourselves what the developments and refinements that the designers have made mean for us in real terms on the water,' said team skipper Brad Butterworth. He added: 'The team has come back from Dubai strong and keen to go racing. After the LV Act 13, we will continue with our in-house training in preparation for the America’s Cup Match.'

Alinghi will declare two racing yachts on the 31 March and will unveil them on the 1 April along with the 11 challengers, revealing the keel and bulb which have been hidden beneath the skirts since the 1 January 2006.

Racing for Louis Vuitton Act 13 will begin on the 3 April and will be the last time that Alinghi meets the challengers until the America’s Cup Match in June when the strongest one will come forward to race the Defender in the Match.