Until yesterday, the Swiss Cup defenders from Team Alinghi seemed invincible. Before the final day in the Louis Vuitton Act 8, Alinghi had won 31 times in a row in 2005. Then the double setback. But Schümann can even take positives from two defeats.
Yacht: Mr Schümann, your team won 31 match race duels in a row in 2005 and was considered invincible. How did two defeats in just one day taste?
Jochen Schümann: It was a bit quieter on board than usual after the two races. That's only natural when you have to chase BMW Oracle Racing for so long. But then our boss Ernesto Bertarelli opened a bag of mojitos and threw a round. And in the evening we celebrated our victory in Act 8 with a really good party. If you work hard, you have to be able to party well.
Yacht: The double defeat came at a time when everyone thought Alinghi was unbeatable. What do you think?
Jochen Schümann: We wanted to win, just like we want to win every race. Our party in the evening did not hide the fact that there is room for improvement. In any case, the defeats are a good reason for everyone to realise that we are not sailing three classes above the challengers. We were good yesterday, but not as good as K-Challenge and BMW Oracle Racing. They were simply better.
Yacht: You have been able to observe the squabbles in the German team from afar. How do you feel about it?
Jochen Schümann: It's painful to watch, although turbulence like the one the German team is currently experiencing is nothing unusual in the America's Cup. Sailing is highly complex. You have to put your egos in the background. It's a culture that you first have to develop and that - I think - is part of the success of our Alinghi team. We are trying to do better with a flat hierarchy.
Yacht: How do you experience Trapani as the host city of these pre-regattas for the America's Cup?
Yacht: Trapani was a big surprise for all of us. There is huge momentum behind this event. As Brad Butterworth has already said: If we were to win the Cup again, Trapani would definitely be a possibility as a venue. The interest of the people here is huge. So is the enthusiasm. Our merchandising shop was sold out after two days. And we should actually have another one on the water. When we come back to the harbour from the courses at sunset, there are always hundreds of people at the harbour entrance, shouting and waving. It's really beautiful!
