Alinghi Red Bull Racing on course for the America's Cup: Racing against the clock with "BoatZero" in Barcelona

The America's Cup has been a little quiet for a while because the teams are quietly working on their new yachts two years before the next summit. The presentation of an overhauled training boat, such as today in Barcelona, is already causing quite a stir. The newly formed Swiss team Alinghi Red Bull Racing showed off its first test yacht on 8 August in the future Cup metropolis of Barcelona.

The former New Zealand "Te Aihe" (the dolphin) acquired by Emirates Team New Zealand - the first AC75 ever built in its generation - had been overhauled by the Swiss for months behind closed gates. Since Monday, she has now been the first to be launched in the future Cup waters at Port Vells. Just as Alinghi Red Bull Racing is the first team in this Cup cycle to set up shop in Barcelona.

Head coach Nils Frei, America's Cup winner with Alinghi in 2003 and 2007, knows how important the time factor is for a successful Cup campaign: "Time is the key. And we never have enough of it! The fact that we can already sail on the AC75 this year is very valuable for us and we will learn as much as possible."

A "Boat Splash" with freerunner Hazal Nehir and Alceo Bertarelli

The christening took place in unmistakable Alinghi Red Bull Racing style: a freerunner climbed onto the boat and clambered up the foil arm. After a few tricks, Hazal Nehir handed the champagne bottle to Ernesto Bertarelli's youngest son Alceo Bertarelli. He burst the traditional bottle on the wing, setting another milestone in the campaign for the 37th America's Cup.

The work carried out on the second-hand boat should help the team in the future. Shore Manager Tim Hacket is convinced of this: "We are not only celebrating the launch, but also the achievement of a team that has come together. Both on the boat and in the team, everything that was learnt on and with 'BoatZero' is being applied to BoatOne." On the happy "Boat Splash" day, the team also practised modesty. Co-Manager and Head of Engineering Silvio Arrivabene said: "We are also aware that we still have a long way to go to reach the same level as the other teams after the AC36."

Two experienced experts are to make the team fit for the America's Cup

For Alinghi Red Bull Racing, "BoatZero" is intended to be the basis on which the sailors can gain their first AC75 experience. The team sees this boat as an opportunity - both in terms of design and sailing itself. In the latter, the Swiss are receiving prominent support from two hardened champions: Dean Barker, America's Cup winner in 2000 and finalist in 2021, and Olympic 49er sailor and Luna Rossa man Pietro Sibello.

With their complementary knowledge, which they both gained in different teams, Barker and Sibello work in a double pass with the young Swiss team. "We've never met before. Except once in the Gulf of Hauraki last year. But we have a similar character and a lot in common," says Sibello about Barker. The two will soon be able to test the extent of their similarities on the water. Alinghi Red Bull Racing will soon be sailing the new old boat for the first time. The team sailing for Société Nautique de Genève has a good two years until the 37th America's Cup in September and October 2024 to get up to speed.