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Eventful Last Day of Preliminary Regatta for Alinghi Red Bull Racing
Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s final race in the Preliminary Regatta against the Italian squad was also their most action-packed.
Today, Barcelona showcased its unpredictable sailing conditions as the challengers navigated a challenging course, marked by larger swells and easterly winds. The match race began with a strong lead for the Swiss team. However, the race ultimately went to Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, leaving Alinghi Red Bull Racing in fifth place in the preliminary rankings.
Alinghi Red Bull Racing started strong, taking an early lead after the Italian boat received an OCS penalty. Unfortunately, BoatOne lost its foils midway through the second leg, allowing the Italian team to close the gap and secure victory. In the day’s final match, the Kiwis emerged victorious against Italy, claiming the title of preliminary regatta champions. The Alinghi Red Bull Racing team now has a three-day break to focus on speed improvement leading into the Louis Vuitton Cup, which begins on Thursday, 29th August.
Maxime Bachelin, Helmsman, shared insights on the team’s performance: “We’ve definitely made good progress on our starts this week. Today we noticed that the Italian boat was a bit early, which gave them a lot of time to kill. We took advantage of that to extend our lead and apply pressure, which worked. Every day we’ve been improving in the pre-starts, and it’s a significant advantage to have our coaches providing feedback from the sidelines. The team is managing well, and we’re on a steep learning curve as we prepare for the next races.
Bachelin emphasized the importance of starts, saying, “I believe 90% of the wins are determined by the start. We will keep working to improve our boat speed during the race, alongside our technique and teamwork with the Driving Group and the cyclors.”
Barnabé Delarze, Cyclor, expressed his excitement about racing: “It’s fantastic to experience the buzz of racing, the crowd cheering, and being right beside another boat. However, it is different from what we were accustomed to as rowers and cyclists. There are many factors we can’t control, like how the team sails, the boat’s speed, conditions, and our opponents. Personally, racing again feels great!”
Delarze added, “This week served as an excellent dress rehearsal. We observed other teams’ performance, made some mistakes that we can correct, and focused on areas we need to improve. We know we are competitive in some respects, and we aim to come back stronger next week.”
Silvio Arrivabene, Co-General Manager, commented on the team’s execution: “The guys executed the start plan well today. They successfully pressured the other boat into an early start, showcasing good match racing. We need to address what happened in the second leg during the gybe. Overall, we demonstrated that we were competitive and led the race, which is a solid way to conclude the week.”
Arrivabene highlighted the regatta’s focus: “During this event, we concentrated on practicing race scenarios rather than just focusing on straight-line speed alone. Competing alongside another boat and strategizing for course dominance is crucial to our growth in this sport. Racing is an invaluable experience, providing a unique opportunity to assess our standing before the actual races begin next week.”
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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.
