Alinghi selects Dubai for winter training

[Source: Alinghi] Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America’s Cup, has chosen Dubai to continue the two boat training and testing programme for three months over the winter. After looking worldwide, the weather team found that the meteorological conditions in Dubai most resemble Valencia’s summer conditions, making the third largest emirate the ideal location to maintain the testing momentum. Team skipper and tactician Brad Butterworth explains the selection process: “We chose Dubai as, from a sporting perspective, we wanted a place which has sailing conditions comparable to those in Valencia in June. That was our primary criteria. The fact that we couldn't train efficiently in Spain last winter was a weakness, just like everywhere else in the world, Valencia has climate changes. We've taken this decision to help us win the America's Cup again in 2007."

The Swiss team plans to relocate 60 members of the 132-strong team to Dubai, including 34 sailors (the full squad), designers, boatbuilders and engineers. The two 25m America’s Cup Class racing yachts will be transported in early November and the team will sail from late November until the end of February. The host city, aside from a steady 8-14knot breeze, offers excellent facilities and the Dubai International Marine Club is hosting the team. Grant Simmer, managing director and design coordinator, comments on their support: “We have found a great host in the Dubai International Marine Club that make us feel welcome and have the resources and facilities needed to operate a team of the magnitude of Alinghi"

This announcement was made at a press event to celebrate the culmination of the highly successful SUI 06 Alinghi Swiss Roadshow in Geneva on the 17 September.