On Saturday, the Swiss Defender loaded 224 tons of equipment onto the ship bound for Dubai.

Including 2 boats, 3 support boats, rigs, keels, travel lifts and no less than 10 containers, the process began early in the morning and the job was done by mid afternoon.

At the other end, the Dubai International Marine Club, which is to be home to Alinghi for the next three months, other Alinghi shore crew members were busy getting things ready to receive the shipment.

Meanwhile, the sailing team is racing SUI75 regularly in Valencia and work continues at the base on other projects.

Sailing in Dubai is due to begin in mid-November.