Sailing aboard Alinghi's Extreme 40 catamaran

Alinghi's media day included a very instructional experience on the water. Not only were we able to watch the team's two Extreme 40 yachts train against each other we were also given the opportunity to hop onboard and witness the races from a privileged position.

The white boat was crewed by Ed Baird, Lorenzo Mazza, Rodney Ardern and Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyzen while on the black one by Murray Jones, Brad Butterworth, Nils Frei and Yves Detrey.

Ed Baird won all 5 of the exhibition match races but of course these results should be taken with a pinch of salt. They did in fact simulate a Deed-of-Gift match, with just one upwind and one downwind leg but the course was set very short, just 1 mile, in order to squeeze as many races as possible for the numerous guests. With such a short distance the two teams tacked and gybed once or twice in each leg, amplifying by much the importance of the start. Of course, one should always keep in mind that Baird is one of the most experienced and successful match-racers in the world, twice claiming the top position on world rankings.

Being aboard one of these catamarans is a thrilling experience, especially if it's driven by somebody like Baird. It makes you wonder why the America's Cup hasn't been held on such yachts earlier. My turn was in the fifth and final race when the breeze had already kicked in but the first two races took place in quite lighter conditions. Still, both yachts sailed much faster than the conventional America's Cup yachts and it's almost certain that they wouldn't have faced last year's problems during the Louis Vuitton Cup when very light winds disrupted the event for many days.

The 33rd America's Cup will not be raced on these small rockets but on huge 90ft trimarans nobody has ever seen before. Will they be as spectacular? What will match racing look like with these monsters when one doesn't even know the number of crew they will have? What will be the rules of the match?

Prestart of the 5th race between Ed Baird and Murray Jones. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

From left, Lorenzo Mazza, Rodney Ardern, Ed Baird and Pieter Van Nieuwenhuyzen counting the final seconds to start of the race against Murray Jones. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

From left, Lorenzo Mazza, Rodney Ardern and Ed Baird aboard Alinghi's white Extreme 40 catamaran, match racing against the black yacht, helmed by Murray Jones. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird (left) and Rodney Ardern aboard Alinghi's white Extreme 40 catamaran, match racing against the black yacht, helmed by Murray Jones. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Hoisting the spinnaker. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last stretch of the 5th and final race and 5th win for Baird. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Murray Jones on the helm of Alinghi's black Extreme 40. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi's two Extreme 40 catamarans sailing in the upwind leg of one of the races. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi's two Extreme 40 catamarans during dialup. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing