Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team gears up for America’s Cup preliminary regatta

Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team are gearing up for the second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, to be held in Jeddah from Nov. 29-Dec. 2. (Supplied)

• Jeddah arrivals have been preparing in Kingdom for 3 weeks
• Initial conditions were perfect for sessions in the water

JEDDAH: Alinghi Red Bull Racing sailing team are gearing up for the second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, to be held in Jeddah from Nov. 29-Dec. 2.
The team were the first of the six America’s Cup entries to arrive in Jeddah three weeks ago to train, and along with the shore team set up a temporary base to prepare the AC40 boats.
Initial conditions were perfect, providing an ideal opportunity to train and test out of Jeddah’s scenic Corniche.
Local media witnessed a daily training session of the Swiss sailing team on Thursday on the crystal waters of the Red Sea.
Silvio Arrivabene, one of the general managers of Alinghi Red Bull Racing, told Arab News that the team are focused on the event, especially after their misfortune during the first preliminary regatta in Vilanova in September following a hydraulics failure.
Arrivabene, who is one of Alinghi’s key men, has been called upon to share his long experience of the America’s Cup with his team.
He said: “First of all, it is our pleasure being here in Jeddah and we appreciate the great welcome we have received from the residents of Jeddah since we arrived.
“We have been lucky enough to have had a few days of training ahead of the competition. We found exceptional conditions here in the Red Sea after bringing our two AC40 boats.
“We are continuing our training (and hope) to be ready for the official day next week to sail from Jeddah Yacht club.
“It seems that everyone we meet here is very excited and we hope they enjoy the competition and learn more about this thrilling sport, especially if they are seeing it for the first time.”
Alinghi, after more than a decade away from the America’s Cup, are returning to do battle for sailing’s highest honor. The double America’s Cup-winning syndicate has joined forces with Red Bull to create a new team, Alinghi Red Bull Racing.
Fourteen sailors have been selected to join the team. While some are new to the sport, they are being supported by several of sailing’s biggest names.