Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle_SailWorld_728X90px_SY TOP

Swiss welcome for Alinghi's return to Auckland

by Daphne Morgan Barnicoat on 25 Jan 2009
Dr Beat Nobs, Swiss Ambassador to New Zealand, sailing as 18th man Copyright / Alinghi http://www.alinghi.com
Alinghi, the Defender of the 33rd America’s Cup, was welcomed back to Auckland at a reception in the city this evening by the Swiss Ambassador to New Zealand, Dr Beat Nobs.

Nobs had just returned from the race course with the crew where he’d been sailing as 18th man for the afternoon: 'It was an awesome and unforgettable personal experience to go sailing with Alinghi today. Just the few hours spent onboard gave me an extraordinary glimpse of how this winning team operates as a seamless and highly professional unit; their performance was inspiring! I am delighted to welcome Alinghi back to Auckland for this regatta and I wish them fair winds,' said Dr Nobs.

The Alinghi team started training on Saturday alongside nine other Louis Vuitton Pacific Series competitors on the Waitemata Harbour in Auckland. This regatta marks their return to New Zealand for the first time since winning the America’s Cup in 2003 and has come as a pleasant distraction from the European winter.

Racing begins in earnest on the 30 January with Round Robin 1 and continues through Round Robin 2, the Challenger Finals and the LVPS Final until 14 February. Four-time America’s Cup winner and Alinghi team skipper, Kiwi, Brad Butterworth comments on coming home: 'It is really good to be back and fantastic to be sailing in Auckland again on a Cup boat; we look forward to some great competition.'

He added: 'Nine of the ten teams racing here are 33rd America’s Cup entered challengers with whom we have been working hard on preparations for the next America’s Cup. The group has almost finished the Class Rule which is due to be published at the end of January and we are all looking forward to the first Act in July. It is good to get out of the office and back on the water!'

The Alinghi crew racing for the LVPS

Brad Butterworth (NZL)
Dean Phipps (NZL)
Rodney Ardern (NZL)
Matt Mitchell (NZL)
Craig Satterthwaite (NZL)
Warwick Fleury (NZL)
Peter Evans (NZL)
Pieter van Nieuwenhuijzen (NED)
Francesco Rapetti (ITA)
Brian Sharp (USA)
Mark McTeigue (AUS)
Nils Frei (SUI)
Lorenzo Mazza (ITA)
Will McCarthy (AUS)
Ed Baird (USA)
Juan Vila (ESP)
Yves Detrey (SUI)

The LVPS teams in addition to Alinghi

Luna Rossa (ITA)
Team Shosholoza (RSA)
K-Challenge (FRA)
Damiani Italia Challenge (ITA)
Greek Challenge (GRE)
Team Origin (GBR)
China Team (CHN)
Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL)
BMW Oracle Racing (USA)

www.alinghi.com
Exposure MarineNorth Sails Loft 57 PodcastAllen Dynamic 40 Footer

Related Articles

Vaikobi Launches V-DRY-X
The New Standard in Grand Prix Sailing Dry Gear Vaikobi, a global leader in high-performance ocean sports apparel, is proud to unveil V-DRY-X: a breakthrough range of sailing dry gear engineered for Grand Prix racing and coastal yachting.
Posted today at 11:01 pm
Rolex Fastnet Race at 100 – the making of a giant
At present 469 yachts have entered this special edition - a far cry from its humble origins in 1925 One month remains until the 26 July start of the Rolex Fastnet Race, this year celebrating both its centenary as well as that of the club it spawned: the Royal Ocean Racing Club.
Posted today at 10:44 pm
America's Cup: Confidential settlement reached
A confidential settlement reached over five year Cup legal claims. New Zealand website, Newsroom has obtained the confidential settlement reached between the America's Cup team Emirates Team New Zealand and their formerly contracted Event Managers, Mayo & Calder, and others associated with the company.
Posted today at 9:52 pm
Crew dynamics will be decisive in Course des Caps
Just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season With just two days to go before the start of the first race of the eagerly-awaited 2025 IMOCA season, all eyes are on Boulogne-Sur-Mer as 11 crews prepare to race around the British Isles in the Course des Caps-Boulogne sur Mer-Banque Populaire du Nord.
Posted today at 7:02 pm
2025 Marion to Bermuda Race concludes
Celebrating the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team After days of strategic sailing, shifting winds, and open-ocean challenges, the results are in—and we're proud to celebrate the remarkable seamanship and sportsmanship of every team that took part.
Posted today at 6:49 pm
29th Superyacht Cup Palma day 2
Linnea Aurora turns the tables as it gets tight at the top A bigger and better breeze welcomed the racing fleet on the second day of the Superyacht Cup Palma 2025, resulting in full-tilt sailing around the 23nm five-leg racecourse.
Posted today at 6:16 pm
CYCS 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta preview
Bringing together some of the most beautiful yachts on the water The Classic Yacht Owners Association's annual Classic Yacht Challenge Series (CYCS) kicks off a summer of stunning northeastern sailing with the 2025 Tiedemann Classics Regatta this weekend.
Posted today at 5:39 pm
Kieler Woche Day 8
Mourniac & Retornaz take the lead in the Nacra 17 class A dream day ahead of the second weekend at the Kieler Woche regatta off Schilksee: Moderate to fresh westerly winds with strong gusts, alternating sun and clouds, provided ideal sailing conditions for all participants on Friday.
Posted today at 5:18 pm
J/70 Mixed-Plus Worlds at Lake Garda Day 2
Spanish team Yupi top the leaderboard Friday was the second day of racing in Torbole for the inaugural J/70 Mixed-Plus World Championship. Although the "Ora" breeze was lighter than yesterday, it didn't disappoint; it blew steadily enough to deliver three fair, fun and hard-fought races.
Posted today at 4:58 pm
SailGP: Roger Federer inspires Swiss SailGP team.
Roger Federer joins forces with Switzerland SailGP Team to inspire success One of Switzerland's greatest sporting icons, Roger Federer, features in the newest episode of Racing on the Edge, SailGP's official behind-the-scenes docuseries, produced in partnership with Rolex.
Posted today at 4:26 pm