Alinghi Red Bull Racing Faces Heightened Competition at Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona
Competition Intensifies for Alinghi Red Bull Racing at Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona
22-25 August 2024
On the second day of the Final Preliminary Regatta in Barcelona, the Swiss Challenger for the 37th America’s Cup faced their first loss of the competition. In a well-fought match, NYYC American Magic held onto an early lead to secure the win.
This marked the first meeting between the Swiss and American teams in their AC75s during the 37th America’s Cup. After a delayed start, Alinghi Red Bull Racing found themselves trailing and needed to seize any opportunity to overtake NYYC American Magic. Both teams sailed cleanly throughout the race, with the Americans leveraging their early advantage to control the race course, ultimately finishing almost a minute ahead of the Swiss team.
With this latest result, Alinghi Red Bull Racing now holds one win and one loss. Tomorrow promises a busy schedule as the Swiss Challengers prepare for a double race day, facing off against INEOS Britannia and later against Defender Emirates Team New Zealand.
Nicolas Rolaz, Trimmer, shared insights on their performance: “We know that in these conditions, there aren’t many passing lanes, and we had to nail the start. Unfortunately, our pre-start was not up to par, putting us at a disadvantage. We got caught high in the box and tried a late push. They managed to close the committee door on us, which prevented our optimal start. Moving forward, we’ll adopt a more aggressive approach in our pre-starts, and focus on the small details to improve our performance. We’re still in a training regatta phase, with great potential to unlock in the boat for upcoming races.”
Paul Jacquot, Cyclor, emphasized the excitement of the competition: “We train every day for these moments, but nothing can fully prepare you for the real thing. The atmosphere and enthusiasm from the dock were incredible, making race day enjoyable regardless of the outcome. It’s a privilege to sail these boats.” He added, “Conditions were decent today, but as a cyclor, it’s no easy task. My job is to be there when needed. While I can’t win the race for the team, it’s vital that I don’t cost us the win either.”
Adolfo Carrau, Design Coordinator, reflected on their progress: “We hadn’t raced until this week, so this was our first opportunity to measure ourselves against the competition. Now, it’s crucial that we analyze our performance, learn from the data, and apply insights to the next races. Although I’d prefer to see our boat in front, we are dedicated to making improvements. The performance is there, and we’ve identified areas for enhancement, so we’re looking forward to tomorrow and the remaining races in this preliminary regatta.”
Alex Tanaka, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Singapore, has a deep passion for the sea that began in childhood. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the National University of Singapore, Alex has built a reputation for insightful and engaging storytelling. Their work captures the excitement of sailing and the intricate details of maritime life, making them a respected voice in the sailing community. When not writing, Alex enjoys exploring new waters and participating in local regattas, always seeking the next adventure on the horizon.