Please select your home edition
Edition
Barton Marine 2019 728x90

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

by Alinghi Red Bull Racing 6 Jun 03:18 PDT
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."

Related Articles

Cup Spy Sept 29: Missed day for Swiss, USA
The breeze all but deserted Barcelona on Friday, disrupting a planned sailing day for the Swiss The breeze all but deserted Barcelona on Friday, disrupting a planned sailing day for the Swiss, and leaving the US team no option than to run with a plannned photo-shoot, usiung a towed up AC40. Posted on 29 Sep
Cup Spy Sept 28: Two AC75s training off Barcelona
Three teams sailed on Thursday - Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Emirates Team NZ and American Magic Three teams sailed on Thursday - Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand and American Magic from Barcelona - interviews with Peter Burking and Paul Goodison Posted on 28 Sep
Cup Spy Sept 27: Swiss bring AC75 back
Four teams sailed on Wednesday, Alinghi Red Bull Racing launched their AC75 Four teams sailed on Wednesday - Emirates Team New Zealand, Orient Express Racing and American Magic from Barcelona, while Luna Rossa continued sailing off Cagliari, in their LEQ12 test boat. Alinghi Red Bull Racing launched their AC75. Posted on 28 Sep
Cup Spy Sept 26: Defence comes into focus
Emirates Team NZ sailed their AC75 for the first time in over a month at the Defence venue Emirates Team NZ sailed their AC75 for the first time in over a month, with co-helmsman Nathan Outteridge saying after the session that the Kiwis had shifted their focus to understanding the nuances of the venue Posted on 27 Sep
Youth and Womens teams train on AC40 simulator
AC40 training has begun for the fast-coming next generation of foiling talent With twelve teams entered for the Youth and Puig Women's America's Cup competitions in Barcelona in 2024, AC40 training has begun for the fast-coming next generation of foiling talent. Posted on 27 Sep
America's Cup: 40th anniversary of Australian win
Today, September 26th is the 40th anniversary of Australia II's win in the America's Cup off Newport Today, September 26th is the 40th anniversary of Australia II's win in the America's Cup off Newport, Rhode Island - handing the New York Yacht Club their first ever defeat since the first defence in 1870 Posted on 26 Sep
Cup Spy Sept 25: The twists and turns of testing
Two teams sailed on Monday - Alinghi off Barcelona and Luna Rossa off Cagliari Two teams sailed on Monday - Alinghi Red Bull Racing off Barcelona, continuing their AC40 development program from last week. Luna Rossa resumed sailing off Cagliari, in their LEQ12 test boat. The Swiss are expected to switch to their AC75 soon. Posted on 26 Sep
Cup Spy Sept 22-23: Swiss coy on new system
Brits stop test session after foil cracks identified The week ended with several America's Cup team members competing in the Italy SailGP, with AC co-helms finishing in the top four places on the leaderboard. The testing continued off Barcelona, with the Swiss and Brits testing sails and foils. Posted on 25 Sep
Cup Spy Aug 21: Brits get into fencing
British tried a new style of wingfoil - equipped with 'Fences' designed to impede foil ventilation Two Cup teams sailed - with American Magic focused on boat maneuvers, while the British tried a new style of wingfoil - equipped with 'Fences' designed to impede foil ventilation. Alinghi Red Bull Racing have repurposed their AC75 as a high dive platform. Posted on 23 Sep
Cup Spy Aug 18-20: Cup teams back in action
Two Cup teams have resumed sailing off Barcelona encountering some testing conditions Two Cup Challengers have been sailing off Barcelona, on three days of this week. Alinghi did sail testing on Monday and capsized at the end of the session. American Magic sailed twice, encountering a building fresh breeze 15kts gusting 23kts on Wednesday. Posted on 21 Sep
C-Tech 2020 Battens 2 728x90 BOTTOMDoyle Sails 2020 - Redefining Boundaries 728x90 BOTTOMT Clewring J-class 728x90 BOTTOM