By James Boyd on 24 Mar. 2015
After winning both the Vulcain Trophy (Lake Geneva) on its Decision 35 and the 2014 Extreme Sailing Series (global), Alinghi is proud to announce that it will compete in the 2015 Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour. The team will also again race on Lake Geneva on the D35 circuit.
Alinghi is also delighted to announce a number of new official partnerships with some of the very best Swiss companies and brands, including SWISS airlines, HYT Watches, Planzer and MarinePool, while it is similarly delighted to confirm the renewal of its partnership with the Manotel Hotel Group.
The Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour
Alinghi, created by Ernesto Bertarelli, won the America’s Cup in 2003 in Auckland under the colours of the Société Nautique de Genève. In doing so, it set a double precedent in the history of the world’s oldest sports’ trophy: A first victory on its first attempt; and the first ‘European’ team to bring the ‘Auld Mug’ back to the continent since the first competition in 1851.
On behalf of the Société Nautique de Genève, Alinghi then organised the 2007 America’s Cup in Valencia, fondly remembered as the best ever and at which Alinghi successfully defended its title in an epic battle on the water against Emirates Team New Zealand.
However, despite Alinghi’s many successes in monohull racing (Maxi One Design, Farr 40, 12mJI, Corel 45, ACC), Ernesto Bertarelli has also been more than present on the multihull stage since 1993. It should come as no surprise then, that, with the creation of a new ‘flying’ one-design catamaran class, Alinghi jumps at the opportunity to join this ‘foiling adventure’ on the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour.
For its size, the GC32 one-design catamaran has unprecedented performance of a boat of its size, able to ‘fly’ in just eight knots of True Wind Speed and capable of speeds well in excess of 30 knots. This carbon dragonfly has already demonstrated to top-class sailors from across the sport of its pace, power and ability to ratchet up excitement levels.
Ernesto Bertarelli comments: “I have been enormously privileged to sail with some of my crew for more than 20 years. During the course of our adventures, our passion for the sport and for cutting-edge technology has been undimmed. It is therefore only natural that we would be eager to be involved with this evolution of our sport. Sailing in three dimensions will of course be a new challenge for all of us, but it is an exciting one and the opportunity to learn and then master a new type of boat is one that we couldn’t miss. The GC32, as with the D35 and the X40, is a strict one-design class. That’s very important to me, because it means that the racing is not about the equipment we use, but about how the crew works together on the water. It is true competition.”
The Alinghi 2015 GC32 crew will be: Ernesto Bertarelli (Helm), sharing the duties with Morgan Larson, who led Alinghi to the victory in the Extreme Sailing Series in 2014, Nicolas Charbonnier (Tactician), Pierre-Yves Jorand (Mainsail), Nils Frei (Trim) and Yves Detrey (Bow).
The same crew will compete on the Decision 35 circuit, albeit with the addition of Coraline Jonet (Trim), who will bring her many talents to the team of six that sail the D35.
New Partnerships Announced
Just before the team takes off for this new competition, Alinghi is delighted to announce an Official Air Carrier partnership with SWISS airlines. After all, what better source of inspiration for the team that is learning how to fly on the water in all four corners of Europe?
Lorenzo Stoll, Head of Western Switzerland for SWISS comments: “This partnership was an obvious one for us and we are delighted to team-up with Alinghi. So many parallels can be drawn between sailing – particularly foil sailing – and aviation. Dedication to giving our best performance,, the precision we demand of ourselves and a competitive a passion to be the best are all values that unite Alinghi and SWISS”.
While the team will be flying through the air, its brand new GC32 will hit the road in the expert hands of PLANZER, who Alinghi is thrilled to announce as Official Logistic Transport Supplier for 2015.
The GC32s are pushing the boundaries in sailing and so it is with great pleasure that Alinghi can also announce a new sponsor in HYT Watches, a Swiss company that is breaking new ground with its innovative, stylish and beautiful creations.
Patrick Berdoz, HYT’s Chairman said: “first and foremost, this partnership is a fantastic union of two high-tech universes and two leading teams. Alinghi challenges the elements and flies over the water, while HYT challenges the traditional watch making industry and masters the measurement of time through the use of fluid. We are very proud to associate ourselves with the next chapter of Alighni’s journey and to be aligned with this epic team”
Alinghi can also count on another important partner in MarinePool, who have created an Alinghi 2015 collection.
Last, but in no means least, Alinghi is extremely proud to be able to continue to count on the support of its loyal partner, the Manotel Hotel Group, preferred sanctuary of the Alinghi team when in Geneva – and this since 2001.
The tour welcomes a top team
Alinghi’s participation on the circuit is a great endorsement for the new foiling catamaran class. As GC32 Class Association President Flavio Marazzi said: “On behalf of the GC32 ICA, I would like to welcome the only European America’s Cup Winner, Team Alinghi, to the GC32 family. Ernesto Bertarelli and his team have a two decade-long history in catamaran racing on Lake Geneva as well as on the 90ft catamaran they sailed in the 33rd America’s Cup in Valencia. I believe that all other GC32 teams will highly profit from witnessing their skill and level of preparation, pushing the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour to the next level.
“I always believed that this design has huge potentials to attract teams from right across the yacht racing world. With Alinghi’s arrival we have come closer to our goal of creating a class providing the highest level racing.
“Let’s be prepared for more top teams to enter the GC32 Tour soon.”
Dave Floyd, co-CEO of Bullitt Group commented: “It’s great news to see one of the best multihull teams in the world – Alinghi – join the Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour. They are the current Extreme Sailing Series champions and I’m sure will make a formidable team in the GC32 Class.”