Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Alinghi crowned Sailing Team of the Year at SUI Sailing Awards 2021

by Alinghi 14 Feb 2021 06:41 PST 13 February 2021
Alinghi crowned Sailing Team of the Year at SUI Sailing Awards 2021 © Alinghi

COVID-19 required that the ceremony for the seventh SUI Sailing Awards would take place in the form of an online broadcast on Saturday February 13, starting at 8pm.

In keeping with, and in order to respect, the necessary public health measures, the SUI's Master of Ceremonies had previously toured the awards' winners to present the prizes in each of the five categories: male and female sailor, junior sailor, team and project.

Watch the clip unveiling the six winners and showcasing all nominees in action.

These Awards, organised every two years by Swiss Sailing and Skippers magazine, reward the best performers competing under the Swiss flag during the relevant two years - in this case 2019 and 2020 - as well as recognising commitment to the sport.

Nominated alongside Team Tilt Sailing and Roesti Sailing Team in the "Sailing Team" category, Alinghi was named the winner following a public vote (counting for 30% of the decision) and nominations from a jury composed of five sailing professionals.

In sporting terms, the three titles won in 2019 by the Alinghi team will have done much to sway the decision: An eighth victory in the D35 championship, a first in the GC32 Racing Tour championship and another in the inaugural GC32 World championship. A pretty much flawless performance in a year that was also highlighted by OMEGA joining the team as a partner. "Alone we go faster, together we go further" Nils Frei said. "This is a national recognition that gives pleasure and we are happy to share it with our partners and all who accompany us: Families, friends and fans."

As for its commitment to sailing in Switzerland, Alinghi and the Bertarelli Foundation have been supporting young Swiss sailors for many years in their sporting development, with, for example, the recent support for the rapidly evolving Nacra 15 catamaran class.

Within its own team, Alinghi has, in recent years, welcomed and integrated young talents, so much the better to stay at the forefront of the sport, particularly as it further embraces foiling machines. In this context, it should also be emphasised how much the entire team has been involved in the development of the TF35, a one-design foiling catamaran, as well as of the related new class.

"Sailing Team" sequence and the Awards presented to Alinghi.

Ernesto Bertarelli: "It's important for us to win a national trophy like this, because Alinghi is first and foremost a Swiss sailing team, which takes great encouragement from the support of our country and one of whose major goals is to represent Swiss sailing internationally.

"In 2021, we hope to be able to race with the GC32 again and to continue the development of the TF35 with an annual championship and perhaps a Bol d'Or. And of course, we will be following the America's Cup regattas closely over the next few weeks..."

Pierre-Yves Jorand: "For more than twenty-five years, this team has shone on the Lake and beyond thanks to our values, team spirit and the quest for continuous improvement to stay on top. We have also been able to integrate young, talented sailors to ensure we are part of the sport's transition to modern, foiling, fast boats. This award has a special meaning for us and reflects the work accomplished by the whole team."

Alinghi thanks the Bellevue Palace in Bern for its award and also sends its congratulations to the other nominees and winners. The quality of Swiss sailors of all generations, their representation on all of the world's seas, and the popular participation of the public during the votes for these awards all prove that Swiss sailing continues to be on the rise!

Team Members 2019/2020

Sailors

  • Ernesto Bertarelli
  • Arnaud Psarofaghis
  • Nicolas Charbonnier
  • Bryan Mettraux
  • Nils Frei
  • Timothé Lapauw
  • Coraline Jonet
  • Yves Detrey

Shore Team

  • João Cabeçadas
  • David Nikles
  • Claudy Dewarrat

Team Director

  • Pierre-Yves Jorand

Related Articles

RS Aero World & Youth Worlds Day 1 & 2
The largest class this year is the Aero 5 with 62 competitors A fantastic entry of over 170 RS Aeros from 17 nations have converged on the beautiful Quiberon peninsula in southern Brittany, France, for the 7th RS Aero World Championship, combined with the 4th RS Aero Youth World Championship. Posted today at 8:54 am
Australian Sailing Team and Element 6 Evolution
Elite Partnership Continues Towards LA 2028 The Australian Sailing Team's (AST) ILCA program is built on a legacy of excellence, underpinned by world-class athletes, a strong squad culture, and elite equipment. Posted today at 4:59 am
58th Governor's Cup Match Racing Day 1
Cole Tapper (AUS) and Justin Callahan (USA) lead 6-0 There are always favorites before the start of major sailing events, but there are usually a few surprises as well. However, after the first day of the 58th Governor's Cup International Youth Match Racing Championship, there were no real surprises. Posted today at 4:48 am
43 Copa del Rey MAPFRE Day 2
Early Bird rises to coastal challenge to retain perfect scoreline The four divisions which are competing for the ORC European Championships titles at the 43rd Copa del Rey raced their statuary coastal race around the Bay of Palma and out to its western fringes today. Posted on 30 Jul
2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior Worlds, day 6
Medal Series line-up locked in With just one day to go before the champions are crowned, Day 6 at the 2025 iQFOiL Youth & Junior World Championships delivered high-stakes racing and emotional turning points. Posted on 30 Jul
Rolex Fastnet finishers wait with bated breath
Aiming to claim the elusive prize for IRC Overall Celebrations were finally subsiding this morning in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin's Port Chantereyne following Peter Harrison, Pierre Casiraghi and the Yacht Club de Monaco team's superb victory in the successfully rejuvenated Admiral's Cup. Posted on 30 Jul
A Heartbreaking Loss for the Sailing Community
US Sailing is deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred on Monday US Sailing is deeply saddened by the tragic accident that occurred on Monday, July 28 near the Miami Yacht Club, resulting in the loss of two young sailors and injuries to others. Posted on 30 Jul
St. Thomas Junior Sailing Summer Program
22 Students Graduate from the St. Thomas Sailing Center Twenty-two St. Thomas teenagers graduated on Friday, July 25, from the 4th annual Junior Sailing Summer Program, run by the St. Thomas Sailing Center. Posted on 30 Jul
CYCS' Maine stretch heads into third weekend
Following Camden Classics Cup The CYOA's CYCS wrapped up its second of three consecutive weekends of Gulf of Maine racing with the Camden Classics Cup last weekend, July 26 and 27. Posted on 30 Jul
Anticipation rises in centenary Rolex Fastnet Race
The podium places in the different classes have begun to take shape Of the 444 yachts competing in the centenary edition of the Rolex Fastnet Race, some 380 are eligible for overall victory under IRC Time Correction. Posted on 30 Jul
Sea Sure 2025PredictWind - GO! exec 728x90 BOTTOMC-Tech 2021 SnuffAir 728x90 BOTTOM