Alinghi wins the America\’s Cup

TEAM ALINGHI WINS AMERICA\’S CUP

[via alinghi.com] AUCKLAND – March 2, 2003 – Team Alinghi [1][2] made a clean sweep of the America\’s Cup with a 5-0 score against the Defender, Team New Zealand. Alinghi makes history by bringing the America\’s Cup back to Europe for the first time in 152 years.

Race 5 of the 31st America\’s Cup started in perfect sailing conditions. Steady northerly winds of 12-14 knots and brilliant sunshine and blue skies on the Hauraki Gulf set the stage for history-in-the-making. Team Alinghi sailed triumphantly to victory and won the America\’s Cup for Switzerland. For the first time in 152 years, the Cup will go to Europe. No other challenger has ever won the America\’s Cup on the first attempt and Team Alinghi is the first Swiss team to ever compete in the America\’s Cup Regatta.

In the easy seaway, a change from the choppy waves that have dominated this series, Team New Zealand showed solid crew work but Alinghi sailed at a higher angle in the steady mid-range conditions to stretch out a comfortable lead on the first leg. Team New Zealand put up a good fight and closed down on the Swiss boat\’s lead on legs 2 and 3, but throughout the race, Alinghi\’s crew work was precise and they covered every manoeuvre of NZL 82. Then disaster struck Team New Zealand sailors, who have been beleaguered by gear failure in this series. Midway on the fourth leg, the carbon fibre spinnaker pole snapped on the forestay during a gybe. Alinghi set up for a convincing advantage, carrying on their smooth and flawless performance. The sailors onboard SUI 64 powered the yacht triumphantly over the finish line 45 seconds ahead of Team New Zealand to win the oldest trophy in sport and fix the name of Alinghi forever in the history of the America\’s Cup. The gun sounded signalling Swiss victory, to the wild cheers of 100 Team Alinghi crewmembers, all of whom have played integral parts in the success of the challenge.

Throughout the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America\’s Cup regattas, Alinghi has proven that with single-minded determination, focus on strong teamwork between all departments, thorough testing and preparation, and innovative management style, the team has constructed a fantastic package capable of winning the America\’s Cup. Team Alinghi will carry this formula for success into the future.

[1] http://www.alinghi.com
[2] http://www.nautique.org

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