Alinghi Red Bull Racing launches its AC75

New to the America’s Cup, Alinghi Red Bull Racing has launched its AC75 training vessel in preparation for the race in 2024.

Current America’s Cup holder, Emirates Team New Zealand, used this vessel during the 36^thAmerica’s Cup. Because Alinghi Red Bull Racing was not part of that race, the Swiss team was able to purchase the AC75.

America’s Cup Event CEO, Grant Dalton, welcomed Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team to Barcelona. Dalton says: “The fact that we already have a team based in Barcelona and already sailing here only four months since we announced the venue is a true indication of what the 37th America’s Cup is going to be like in Barcelona.

“So, all credit to the team at Alinghi Red Bull Racing, this is the measure of this highly professional team that they have hit the ground running on their campaign and are taking every opportunity to get sailing onboard their AC75 as allowed for a new competitor that did not sail in AC36 in the America’s Cup Protocol. You can never underestimate the Swiss and for sure, teams will be watching their progress intently through the joint reconnaissance program, unique to this Cup cycle, with a lot of interest.”

Earlier this year, Barcelona was announced as the venue for the 37th America’s Cup.

Hazal Nehir performs for Alinghi Red Bull Racing in Barcelona, Spain

The training vessel was unveiled dockside in Barcelona. Alceo Bertarelli, son of syndicate founder Ernesto Bertarelli, smashed the customary bottle of champagne on the wing as Red Bull sponsored Hazal Nahir, the Turkish parkour athlete, performed tricks on the foil arms. The celebration marked the official launch of this latest Swiss challenge for the America’s Cup.

“Today symbolises the adventure that begins in Barcelona,” says head coach Nils Frei. “This first-generation boat will allow us to gain valuable training hours before we have our race boat. We are a new team sailing a boat that we are only just discovering, but to be able to train already this year is highly beneficial.

“If there is one thing that all Cup campaigns have in common, it is that you can never make up for lost time. And you never have enough of it. The preparations for this launch have given us the opportunity to learn to work together, and it is so important to be united towards a common goal in an America’s Cup campaign.”  

Having purchased the boat early in the cycle from Emirates Team New Zealand, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team has been working flat-out to prepare the AC75 for its first sail, scheduled for this week, subject to tow-testing and final safety preparations. Joining the Swiss team are Dean Barker, a veteran campaigner, part of the winning New Zealand team in 2000 and recently helmsman of American Magic in 2021, and Pietro Sibello, a finalist with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in the 2021 match. 

“The launch was a big step for us, made possible thanks to the coordination of the whole team,” says Tim Hacket, shore manager for Alinghi Red Bull Racing.

“We had to find our feet in a new city with new colleagues and buying a boat that we hadn’t worked on previously required a lot of hours to get used to. All these hours are learning experiences that will be useful towards BoatZero. Now that the boat is launched, we still have various checks to carry out before we can sail in a few days’ time.”

The Alinghi Red Bull Racing Team is now in place at its temporary base in the Marina Barcelona, adjacent to the W Hotel to the west of the superyacht harbour. The team will conduct an intensive training programme under the watchful eyes of the senior members of the team as the young, talented Swiss sailors are put through their paces.

Pietro Sibello, sailing team advisor says: “Managing an AC75 is a major part of an America’s Cup project. You must respect every stage despite the excitement. Being part of this team and being able to pass on our knowledge, alongside Dean Barker, means a lot to me. We have complementary experiences because we come from different teams, and this will allow us to get the best out of each other and to then pass it on to the young and talented Alinghi Red Bull Racing crew.”

Skipper of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, Arnaud Psarofaghis, will be helming the boat throughout the permissible training period and crew will be rotated in and out as the schedule progresses.

“BoatZero will allow us to gain the necessary experience on the AC75. Despite the satisfaction of today’s festivities, we are aware that there is still a lot of work to do to catch up with the level of the teams that raced the 36th America’s Cup. But today has given us the energy to focus on the next step: sailing,” adds Silvio Arrivabene, co-general manager and head of technical operations.

Dalton concludes: “It’s going to be great to see Cup boats back sailing in European waters but particularly in Barcelona and we’ve got to recognise the huge contribution and collaborative spirit that the Port de Barcelona has shown to get to this point in record time. We wish Alinghi Red Bull Racing every success as they begin their journey in the 37th America’s Cup.”

Earlier this week, Emirates Team New Zealand became the first team to first to pick its base, followed by INEOS Team Britannia. Team New Zealand selected the World Trade Centre site at the western end of the official America’s Cup race village.