Alinghi starts training in Dubai with SUI64 and SUI91

[Source: Alinghi] Alinghi, Defender of the 32nd America’s Cup, kicked off the winter training today in Dubai. “We are here to continue developing the boats, so we’ll be doing more testing, but also to train as a race crew, so there will be more racing too” said Brad Butterworth, team skipper, at a press conference at the Dubai International Marine Club (DIMC). This event marks the start of the winter training for the Swiss team as the work shifts from shore set-up to on water two boat testing and crew training. As the winter advances, “the focus will move from testing to race training,” explains Butterworth, adding a word about the choice of Dubai as a location: “The weather conditions here are the reason we have come, they almost exactly emulate the conditions in Valencia, Spain in June, which is when the America’s Cup Match will be next year.” The weather conditions coupled with the fact that the DIMC has provided good logistical support has made the re-location a smooth operation, Grant Simmer, managing director and design coordinator, comments on the support: “We have found a great host in the Dubai International Marine Club who makes us feel welcome and also has the resources and facilities needed to operate a team of the magnitude of Alinghi"

Alinghi's SUI-64 sailing in Dubai for the very first time. Dubai, 20 November 2006. Photo copyright Thierry Martinez / Alinghi

First came the 3,500 ton cargo ship carrying the contents of the Alinghi compound, which set off from Valencia on the 23 October. The route took it through the Suez Canal into the Red Sea, on into the Arabian Gulf and through the Straits of Hormuz to arrive 18 days and 4,600 nautical miles later in Jebel Ali Port of Dubai. The shore crew set up the temporary base at the Dubai International Marine Club with a boatshed, sail loft, 10 workshop containers, the two America’s Cup Class racing yachts, masts, keels, no less than 65 sails and everything else that is needed to get the boats out sailing everyday.

Next came the transportation of the team members from Europe to Dubai, which Swiss International Air Lines, latest official supplier to the team has provided. Their excellent service has already delivered approximately 60 people, half the America’s Cup team, to Dubai, including the sailing team, designers and shore crew.

The days begin early at the Alinghi camp; gym call for the sailors is at 07:00. The shore crew will prepare the racing yachts to launch for mid-day and testing will run until just before darkness falls at about 17:30. The general programme is a six-day week; five days testing and one of race training.

Alinghi will be in Dubai until late February when the team will return to Valencia to continue training for the America’s Cup Match, which will be from the 23 June-7 July.

General view of Alinghi's compound in Dubai. Dubai, 20 November 2006. Photo copyright Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

The bowsprit of SUI-64 seen in a completely different scenery. Photo copyright Dubai Sailing. Dubai, 20 November 2006.