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Fever
increases on the Hauraki Gulf (09/02/02)
(Source
: Victory
Challenge
& Yachting-world.com) |
With just one month to go before the gun is fired
for the start of the first race of the Louis Vuitton
Cup series, most of the America's Cup Challenge yachts
are breaking out of their shells and starting to 'mix
it' a little with the other challengers.
One team spotted out on the Hauraki Gulf last week
was Wight Lightning (GBR70) the British America's
Cup Challenge racing boat-for-boat against Mascalzone
Latino, one of the Italian America's Cup Challenge
yachts.
According to Mark Bullingham from GBR Challenge, the
team was very happy with the boat's performance against
the Italian boat, although he refused to comment on
the results.
In the same time, Alinghi recorded an important victory
on New Zealand waters, beating the American Oracle
BMW Racing (see above).
Today's pairings see Victory Challenge sail against
Oracle BMW Challenge and Alinghi against OneWorld
Challenge.
Victory Challenge sailed both their boats for the
first time against another syndicate - Oracle BMW
Racing - who turned out with both their new boats.
Accurate results of the four matches that were sailed
will remain the secret of the challenger syndicates
but it is understood Oracle had the better of the
Swedish team, apparently not dispirited.
"Now we know we're on a par with and have the capacity
to beat a team like Oracle. It's an important verification",
says Mats Johansson, skipper and strategist aboard
Örn (SWE 63) today.
In other races, Alinghi beat OneWorld Challenge. With
a second victory in a row, Russel Coutts and his crew
have proved they are one of the great favourites to
win the Louis Vuitton series. |
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Big
guns duel on the Hauraki Gulf (08/29/02)
(Source
: Stuff.co.nz) |
Two of the big guns expected to feature in the
Louis Vuitton Challenger yachting series went head-to-head
on the Hauraki Gulf this week but in true America's
Cup style the result remained a secret.
In a battle of the big budget campaigns, American
syndicate Oracle BMW Racing raced Alinghi of Switzerland.
Neither would confirm the result but it is understood
Russell Coutts' Alinghi had the better of the Oracle
team.
The Americans confirmed that the race had taken place
but would not elaborate on how it went.
"The session proved extremely valuable and we hope
to include more races with other challengers," public
relations manager Joanna Ingley said.
"With just a month to go before the Challenger series,
it is important that our training includes days where
we can simulate race conditions and work on manoeuvres.
"Alinghi looked really good and they are going to
be a top contender come race time."
Alinghi said it was no secret that the pair raced
but, like Oracle, they would not discuss the outcome.
"We want to race the other challengers and start putting
the pressure on the crew," a syndicate spokesperson
said.
With budgets well over the $120 million mark, Alinghi
and Oracle are two of the favourites to win the Louis
Vuitton series, which starts on October 1. |
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Murray
Jones visits the Alinghi's base (08/27/02)
(source :
Alinghi) |
Team Alinghi's strategist gives us the latest
on how he is convalescing.
"I had my stitches removed last week and I've got
a few weeks convalescing ahead of me. I mustn't put
any weight on my leg for the moment ".
Xavier Jolis, the team's physiotherapist comments
: "We've changed the plaster and taken new X-rays
which show that the tibia has already consolidated.
Next week we'll be seeing the surgeon to establish
a rehabilitation programme."
On the subject of the impact of his accident on the
training programme, the New Zealander adds : " I'm
not that worried. It won't effect the work we do on
board very much. It's not as if it's the first time
that I have sailed with Russell ! ". |
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A
broken foot on Alinghi (08/06/02)
(source :
Alinghi) |
Murray Jones, Team Alinghi's strategist,
broke his left foot this afternoon while training
on board Alinghi on the Hauraki Gulf.
"The wind was blowing at ten knots and the two Alinghi
boats (SUI 64 and SUI 75) were involved in routine
training when Murray's foot got stuck in the mainsail
sheet" said Xavier Jolis, Team Alinghi's physiotherapist.
"We will have to wait a few days to assess the injury
but it looks like Murray won't be able to sail for
a few weeks", he said.
Murray Jones has been sailing many years alongside
Team skipper Russell Coutts - together they won the
Americas Cup in 1995 and 2000. |
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First
navigation for newest built SUI 75 (07/22/02)
(source :
Alinghi) |
Designed by the Alinghi Design Team, under the
Direction of Grant Simmer (Coordinator of the Design
Team) and Rolf Vrolijk (main architect), SUI 75 is
the result of a Team project, with all twelve of Alinghi's
designers involved in its development.
The polytechnical school of Lausanne (EPFL) also played
an important role in the design as many of its researchers
were involved in the development of the boat.
Last but not least, many sailors from Alinghi have
been consulted, and their great experience taken into
account to design a fast and ergonomic boat.
The second Alinghi yacht of the 2002 generation, Alinghi
SUI 75 has been built in Switzerland, in Corsier sur
Vevey, by the Decision SA boatyard. Thirty boat-builders
have been involved in a project that has accounted
for 18.000 hours of work.
The yacht was transported to Auckland by cargo ship.
Grant Simmer, coordinator of the design team: "This
is a great moment for our Team. This boat is the result
of two years work, for the boat builders as well as
for the designers, the sailors and all those who brought
their knowledge to the project from the first stages
of conceiving the boat's design."
Bertrand Cardis, Director of the Decision SA boatyard:
"Our boat-builders got together by modifying SUI 59,
the former Be Happy. Then we built SUI 64, and now
SUI 75, which is the culmination of our work and the
best achievement of our boatyard. We are very proud
of her." |
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"The
key factor is the way the boat are sailed" (07/22/02)
(source :
NZ
Herald) |
The Swiss syndicate Alinghi returned from a six-week
holiday last week in time for the arrival of their
second yacht, SUI75, which they hope to have on the
water in a fortnight.
"We need to get race ready," Alinghi skipper Russell
Coutts said. "We have done a fair bit of in-house
racing, but we need to focus more on that and perhaps
race some of the other challengers.
"It's just amazing to see the capability of all of
these teams. They have been sailing a long time now
- no one is lacking preparation."
Coutts said he was "quite excited" by both Alinghi
boats, SUI64 and SUI75
"I don't think there are going to be a lot of differences
in all the boats, certainly on paper, but I think
you'll see performance differences in other areas
that will still be pretty significant.
"I am not convinced the racing will be any closer
than it was in the Louis Vuitton Cup last time, but
I think the quality of the racing will be better.
"I believe you will still see speed differences in
the boats. But one of the key factors is the way they
are sailed. Certainly in the past two cups I did with
Team New Zealand a fair amount of the boat speed could
be contributed to the tuning of the boat, which comes
down to the people."
Coutts is frustrated by the number of disputes before
the America's Cup arbitration panel. It seems nearly
every syndicate is waiting for the panel to rule on
something - whether clarification on rules or allegations
of stealing design plans.
"I think the rules are just way too complicated. Some
of the tactics going on are just childish. I think
this cup is maybe worse than a lot of the other ones,"
Coutts said. "To date the cup has been won by designing
better and sailing better.
Coutts believes the skirts, which conceal the hull
shape and keel, are one thing that could go. |
Alinghi
is in the process of returning in NZ (07/12/02)
(source :
cupviews.com) |
| Both Victory Challenge and Alinghi are in the
process of returning their teams to Auckland. Alinghi
are expected to arrive with their second 2003 generation
boat at the end of this month and will begin two
boat trialling. |
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Alinghi
sends second boat to Auckland (06/23/02)
(source :
Le
temps) |
Genève’s America’s Cup syndicate,
Alinghi, has completed construction of it’s second
International America’s Cup Class yacht in the Decision
SA Boatyard in Vevey (Switzerland). Quietly and
discretely, the Team has loaded the vessel onto
a ship bound for Auckland New Zealand.
SUI 75, the second of two that were constructed
for the Swiss challenge, is expected to arrive mid
July in New Zealand for rigging and completion before
they are christened and begin racing and testing
on the Hauraki Gulf. |
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-
A
new chat with Alinghi's sailors
(06/11/02)
(Source
: Alinghi
)
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On 14th June 2002, Genève will be the
setting for the presentation of Alinghi to his
Partners.
At this occasion, a new chat will be organized
where the Team members (Russell Coutts, Michel
Bonnefous, Rolf Vrolijk, Brad Butterwoth...) will
be answering all questions, live on the Team Alinghi
web site.
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Alinghi's
training in the Hauraki Gulf is over
(05/15/02)
(Source
: Alinghi.com) |
Strong winds and choppy sea out
in the Hauraki Gulf. It's winter in Auckland and
some bad weather has blown in. To preserve both
man and machine, the team takes care in choosing
when to sail.
But there's no question of slackening the pace of
on-shore training, as every morning, at 6h30 sharp,
the team still turns up at the gym.
And when the elements conspire against any noble
intentions of getting out onto the water, the sheds
become veritable hives of activity. Both the maintenance
and sailing teams are to be found buzzing around
the two IACC boats sharing the tasks of repairs,
modifications and optimisation of their protégés
ready for the next session and tests.
A sustained pace which will slow down a little between
mid-June and mid-July. Four weeks during which the
sailors will be able to rest, spend time with their
families and take part in competitions in Europe.
On the agenda, the Omega Nations Cup in Trieste
(Italy), the Swedish Match Race in Marstrand (Sweden).
Events where they will be able to measure their
talents against those of their future America's
Cup opponents but also against some of the hotshots
on the international match racing circuit.
Finally, before returning to Auckland, on 14th July
the Team will compete in the Alinghi Match Race
to be held in St Moritz (Switzerland). |
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More
about "Alinghi Interactive"
(05/15/02)
(Source
: Alinghi.com) |
In a break with the America's Cup's
traditions of secrecy and exclusivity, Team Alinghi
are throwing open the base to the public and inviting
them to experience the skill, passion and dedication
of yacht racing at its finest.
Other exhibits focus on the materials, technology
and precision engineering involved in the construction
of the boats.
Visitors can study the structure of the four centimetre
thick hull, feel the fabric of the sails or practice
a sailing knot. Or they can pose for photographs
on the sloping deck of an Alinghi yacht against
the Auckland skyline.
A highlight of the show is the "bowman's experience",
a ride that simulates the heaving, shaking job of
the bowman.
Alinghi Interactive has been designed to be fun,
to provide information, and to enhance the experience
of the America's Cup visitors from all over the
world.
Alinghi Interactive was part of plan even before
the base was built. Architect Ugo Brunoni was briefed
to include an exhibition space as part of the base
and he placed it at the very centre of the building.
All team members provided ideas for the show, the
sailors, boat builders and sail makers contributed
to its construction. |
TV ONE's coverage 
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Grand
opening day at Alinghi's compound
(05/11/02)
(Source
: NZ
Herald) |
The Swiss syndicate Alinghi will open their
doors to the public next Sunday in the grand opening
of their interactive plaza. The entry-free plaza
includes several interactive and semi-interactive
stations.
Each station gives a taste of what it is like to
compete in an America's Cup race. One station, for
example, simulates driving the boat at the start
and another requires participants to scale the bow
while the boat is in motion.
The opening of the interactive plaza means the public
will be able to walk onto the base and watch Alinghi
launch and bring in their boats. The Alinghi crew
will be at the opening.
"It will give people an idea of how much preparation
we do just to go sailing," said Russel Coutts. "It
will give them a taste of what it is really like."
The Alinghi crew are well into their winter programme
in the countdown to the Louis Vuitton Cup, which
starts in October.
"The weather hasn't been too good lately, it has
been blowing a gale out there," Coutts said. "But
it is better to be here practising on the water
we are going to race on." "We are reasonably happy
and are pretty much on track."
Coutts said the team would compete overseas next
month before returning for the launch of their second
boat at the end of July. |
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