The time for relaxation is finally over: In just over two years, the final spurt in the battle for the 32nd America's Cup will begin. While many of the new and small syndicates are still vying for sponsors and top performers, the large and favoured teams are already vying for the lead in time management. First and foremost the Cup defenders from Alinghi. The team is currently installing itself in Valencia.
Just a few days ago, the SUI 75 was driven out of the production halls of the Swiss high-tech forge Décision on Lake Geneva and prepared for transport to Valencia. The sparring boat of the successful SUI 64 has already been converted in accordance with the new AC measurement rules version 5. This basically means: one tonne less weight, a longer keel and more mainsail area. The hull of the boat has been reworked in a number of places, and a few small modifications to the deck ensure less wind turbulence. However, the exact details of the modifications are - hardly surprisingly - not intended for the public.
With two boats (SUI 64/SUI 74) and two complete crews, Alinghi will start training off the harbour city of Valencia at the beginning of April at the latest. The main aim now is to test the two boats and above all the modifications to the SUI 74 in direct comparison with the "old" boat. Alinghi manager Grant Simmer, responsible for design and construction: "We now need to collect as much data as possible in order to incorporate it into the construction of the two new cuppers." According to Simmer, Alinghi wants to wait as long as possible before building the new yachts. Meanwhile, it is certain that both hulls will be built by the Décision shipyard near Vevey on Lake Geneva. After all, the company is majority-owned by Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli. The first new build should be available to the team in 2006, while the second cupper will be completed at the "last minute" shortly before the start of the elimination races in 2007.
The entire Alinghi team is currently relocating from Switzerland to Valencia. This means that 100 members plus their families (around 350 people in total) have to be accommodated in the Spanish harbour city. This places extremely high demands in terms of logistics. Hardly any of the team members, who come from 17 different countries, speak Spanish. On top of this, there is the organisation of housing, school places, insurance and pension facilities.
The Alinghi base in Valencia is currently still under construction. The team will have to make do with a temporary solution for the time being. The definitive infrastructure should be ready for use in October 2005.
