Alinghi Red Bull Racing switches to match racing mode with two AC40s

Alinghi Red Bull Racing of Switzerland seen during the practice with AC40 No.1 and AC40 No.2 in Barcelona, on June 5, © Samo Vidic / Alinghi Red Bull Racing

The first match race training sessions have begun on the 37th America's Cup race course as Alinghi Red Bull Racing launches its two-boat training programme with the AC40s in Barcelona just a few months before the first pre-regatta.

The Swiss challenger for the America's Cup kicked-off its match racing training in Barcelona today on the 37th America's Cup race course just a few days after christening its second AC40 one design. The team is the first to match race in Barcelona, gaining precious hours on the water and taking an important step towards the first pre-regatta in September which will be contested on board the AC40.

"The match race training that we have been doing for months on the simulator, we can finally apply to the water," said helmsman Maxime Bachelin. "There will be a lot more pressure in the manoeuvres than when we're sailing alone."

With two AC40s on the water all members of the Driving Group will be able to sail at the same time which is extra motivation for the sailors. "It won't matter which crew members I'm on board with, the aim will always be to sail better than the other boat," added Bryan Mettraux, trimmer.

To help them maximise progress during this important next step on the pathway to the America's Cup the crew will be able to count on the expertise of Sailing Team Advisors Pietro Sibello and Dean Barker, who have recently been joined by Phil Robertson and Jason Waterhouse.

"Our first day with the two AC40s on the water was a great success," said trimmer Yves Detrey. "The dynamic of training with two boats will enable us to build more consistency within the crew and we will be able to train for the specific situations that we'll encounter on the water this autumn during the pre-regattas."

While the two AC40s are excellent training platforms ahead of the regattas, Alinghi Red Bull Racing's focus remains on the AC75 and the testing that will progress the race boat. Meanwhile in Switzerland, the crew of the Alinghi Red Bull Racing TF35 are actively preparing for the Bol d'Or Mirabaud which starts on Saturday. The Société Nautique de Genève's flagship event will see 330 boats at the start at 10:00.

Quotes:

Yves Detrey, Driving Group: "Our first day with the two AC40s on the water was a great success! Sailing with two boats will allow us to build more consistency within the crew. The manoeuvres against a competitor are very different from those that we have been practising for months alone on the water. Now we can put into practice some of the situations we'll encounter this autumn during the pre-regattas. Match racing is a discipline that I really enjoy and that I've practised a lot in the past. It's exciting, even though the rules have changed since the boats got foils."

Maxime Bachelin, Driving Group: "This new stage puts us in competition mode on the water. We're under a lot more pressure to execute our manoeuvres quickly and perfectly. We will no longer be able to choose the ideal moment to execute them, it will be the situation that decides. Having the whole Driving Group on the water will create a healthy rivalry within the team which is very motivating. Personally, my objective is to work on communication with my teammates. You must be clear, precise and concise to carry out efficient and clean manoeuvres."