Alinghi press conference in Ras Al Khaimah - First Alinghi 5 sail
Alinghi held on Saturday a presentation in Ras Al Khaimah in order to make "official" its arrival in the emirate and carry out the first "official" sail in front of the media as well as a large number of local and Swiss guests.
Press conference
There wasn't any extraordinary announcement made this morning in the Al Hamra Golf Club. Alinghi was represented by its owner Ernesto Bertarelli, skipper Brad Butterworth and design coordinator Grant Simmer. The emirate of Ras Al Khaimah was represented by Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Investment Authority, and Sheikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of Ras Al Khaimah ruler's private affairs. Both Bertarelli and Dr Massaad repeatedly stressed the suitability of the chosen venue to host the 33rd America's Cup next February and urged BMW Oracle to come here, settle in their base and race. Nothing new there. The infrastructure works continue frantically, in fact there were crew building and dredging at 2am when we arrived from the airport. According to Dr Massaad, the civil works for BMW Oracle's base are ready and the Americans could have a fully operational base just 3 weeks after they specify their needs.
From left, Grant Simmer, Alinghi design coordinator, Sheikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, chairman of Ras Al Khaimah ruler's private affairs, Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi owner, Dr Khater Massaad, CEO of RAK Investment Authority, and Brad Butterworth, Alinghi skipper. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Alinghi 5 first "official" sail on Emirati waters
After the presentation, the media embarked on a number of tenders to follow the first "official" test sail of Alinghi 5, the "unofficial" one having taken place on Friday. Unfortunately, it wasn't a day to write home about. Winds were very light, ranging from 4 to 7 knots. Nevertheless, one realizes the speed Alinghi 5 can reach, even under these conditions. We were barely able to keep up with her, obviously observing some basic safety rules, even with a rib that reached 30 knots as Alinghi's catamaran was able to top 15 knots. There was no hull flying, probably to the disappointment of the large Swiss delegation. During their first training session on Friday the Swiss team sailed in winds that reached 11 knots, pushing Alinghi 5 up to 20 knots of boat speed.
In general lines, according to Grant Simmer, Ras Al-Khaimah has a typical seabreeze pattern, starting at 11am and peaking at 1-2pm and the expected range in February should be between 7 and 12 knots. On Friday, they sailed for the first time with a breeze that topped 11 knots. The prevailing wind comes from the Southwest and tends to shift to the right later in the afternoon. As the coastline of RAK roughly goes from south to north, the race course will be at an angle.
One aspect of the Gulf that differs considerably from Valencia is its depth as well as the tides. It is clearly shallow and the tide can be of approximately 1 meter. As a result, in order to comply with the Deed of Gift, the starting line must be at least 4-5 miles from the coast. For example, in Dubai, even at a distance of 30 miles from the coast, sea depth isn't more than 30 meters. Inside the lagoon, the minimum depth is 4.2 meters while in the canal that leads to the open sea it's around 5 meters.
The shallow sea also affects the breeze since water temperature is substantially higher than the Mediterranean. During the period we followed Alinghi 5 sea temperature ranged between 25 and 27 degrees but up to the middle of September it frequently topped 35 degrees. As a result, the temperature differential between land and sea is smaller thus the breeze weaker. Roughly speaking it's only after Christmas that water cools down significantly, leading to a steadier breeze. According to Simmer, February in RAK is more or less similar to July in Valencia, as far as wind intensity is concerned.
Waves are not an issue on these waters and only after 2-3 days of steady strong winds can they reach a maximum of 1.5 meters. The only real threat to this benign situation is the Shamal, a very strong northwesterly wind (up to 35 knots) that blows through the Gulf. It usually takes place in summer but can also occur in winter and lasts around 3 days. One could say it's the local Mistral, only coming with the additional burden of dust and sandstorms.
Alinghi 5 sails on Emirati waters. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Alinghi 5 sails on Emirati waters. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Alinghi 5 sails on Emirati waters. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Alinghi 5 sails on Emirati waters. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Video copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
America's Cup Village - Alinghi base
The central element of the entire complex is the so-called America's Cup Village, a man-made island sitting in the center of the lagoon. As its name implies it is destined to house the facilities for the two teams as well as the infrastructure for the general public. The hospitality and VIP area will be across the pond, in the golf club house while the media center will be located in a newly-built conference center a few dozen meters away. Alinghi has already 4 tents and one prefabricated building on the island. The Swiss have a fully-operational boat shed, a sail loft, rig shop, their offices as well as canteen and hospitality area, spread out approximately throughout the southern half of the island.
The area where the challenger will operate from occupies the northern half and will be a mirror image of what Alinghi already has in place but that will obviously depend on their specific needs. In fact construction had already started started but was stopped, according to Dr Massaad, after BMW Oracle went back to court over the venue of the 33rd America's Cup.
Alinghi's base on the America's Cup island consists of 5 temporary buildings. From left to right, the team canteen and hospitality area, the team offices, the sail loft, the rig tent and finally the boat shed. On the far right, the crane used for lifting the boat on and out of the water as well as loading the sails. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Alinghi 5 in front of the America's Cup Village. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
The pontoon and crane for Alinghi 5. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Lateral view of the boat shed. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Front view of the boat shed. When Alinghi 5 comes out of the water she's put on the four cradles on rails to roll her in and out of the tent. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
The rig shop. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
The sail loft. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Work is going on in rigging. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
The canteen and hospitality tent. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Alinghi team offices. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
The area where BMW Oracle is supposed to settle is just a mirror image of Alinghi's part. The pontoon (next to the white tanks at the back) and basic civil engineering work have been completed but since last week construction has stopped completely. Ras Al-Khaimah, 17 October 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingLabels: 33rd America's Cup, Alinghi, Alinghi 5, Ras al-Khaimah
21 Comments:
Everything is covered in a layer of dust, do you get it in your lungs even when you are on the water?
I can't see that layer of dust in your pictures, Pierre. maybe you can see it if you're there.
In the pictures it does look less dusty than Valencia and the water a lot cleaner than here in the Malvarossa...
When I was working in the ME, the western women remarked at how they didn't need to spray or prem their hair. They said there is so much sand dust in the air that it does the job of spray or prem.
I can see it too. Look at the tent roofs, they are already red with it.
Does Khater Massaad even know what SNG is trying to do with the rules? Did Berterelli tell him yet how hard he is trying to disqualify the Oracle boat of Mr Ellison.
What a fucking JOKE!!!!!!
What a fucking rat whole!
At least the teams members won't have their bicyles stolen like in Valencia.
These pictures strongly remind me of a remote military base or a factory in a third world country.
Dear "ayacht" if you're going to be an "asshole" at least do us the courtesy of spelling correctly.. It's rat hole you ass"whole" and if you think it's so awful, then keep your butt home!!!
Pierre, you are soooo brave to visit such a dangerous place for us. Thanks!
9:03pm - talk is that SNG paid for the journo's traveling
Of course Alinghi paid Valencia Sailing to attend. Do you see this website reaping big profits? Alinghi is famous for funding their preferred journos to attend these functions. There is a list of journos they have blackballed too.
Sure hope we get to see Grant Dalton's letter to EB on his latest BS statement -
"The idea of hosting the America's Cup here doesn't actually come from us. It actually comes from Team New Zealand. Because you you'll remember - and I think still today - the main sponsor of Team New Zealand is the Emirates.. It was put forward that if they were to win the America's Cup then they would bring the America's Cup here."
I visited Dubai before, and believe me, RAK for sure is nothing like Dubai. It is a completely different league, unfortunately.
Photo 2 shows Alinghi with a goose winged genoa, do you think they are in mid gybe/ or is this a planned tactic to go direct down wind?
If the latter is the case, they loose any advantage of apparent wind build, but of course sail a shorter course
Thanks for the pictures and especially the video. I have heard accounts that the motor on Cheezilla was loud and after watching that video I would say it is. Especially towards the end when the jib un-furrels and they crank the motor up. For a second there I thought someone was getting ready to chop down a tree. lol
And yes I know the motor I heard in that video was from the boat the film maker was riding on, but I couldn't resist. At least with the motor BMWO is putting on their boat we know it will run and sound smooth. ;)
Word is out at sailing anarchy that the US Governement is asking questions about the AC being RAK & the security for the US team.
basic line of most of the comments: BULLSHIT!
The only good news is: based on all the great legal action from BOR and their arrogant and selfish actions they will have no time to prepare anymore if the court agrees on RAK. Then they can save transport money and play their roll in the second hand league LVWS.
You seem to forget that BMWOracle was already sailing in 2008 - so they had plenty of time to prepare for the match. Definitely more than Alinghi.
P.S. I wish to quate "basic line of most of the comments: BULLSHIT!"
Exactly, in particular yours!
This is awful and sad
I see, Brad Butterworth has got a nice but substantial little belly now. Well, I guess this happens if you start operating your boat with an engine instaed of muscle power. How sporty!
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