Vilanova i la Geltrú, 17 September 2023 - In the lead-up to this Preliminary Regatta, the sailors of Alinghi Red Bull Racing talked a lot about the importance of being back. Returning to the America's Cup as an entry, entering what they called "full race mode" and being at the start line of America's Cup racing for the first time in over 13 years under the flag of the Société Nautique de Genève yacht club.

That challenge was met head-on Sunday as the team wrapped up competition placing fifth in the final standings after 5 fleet races over the weekend in Vilanova i la Geltrú. “The team was in the mix for a place in the final match race going into Race 5 but an electrical issue with the one-design foil cant system at the start of the last fleet race forced us to go back on shore,” said Nils Frei, head coach. “It’s clearly disappointing but it was not something within our control.”

The starting crew of helmsman Arnaud Psarofaghis and Maxime Bachelin with Yves Detrey and Bryan Mettraux trimming showed they were fully ready to face off against the world's best sailing teams throughout the weekend.

"It was incredible to be racing against every team that is competing in the America's Cup,” said Arnaud Psarofaghis. “It's the start of it all - the last year of preparation before the Cup next year and we were happy to come here and be right up there in terms of boat speed and boat handling.”

In the end, the goal was to get that taste of competition for the first time in this campaign and test all the workflows during the intensity of race mode from sailing team to shore crew, from logistics to operations. From that standpoint, a big step forward was taken in Vilanova for Alinghi Red Bull Racing with the 37th America's Cup Challenger Selection Series races now less than 1 year away. Alinghi Red Bull Racing returns to competition again November 29-December 2 with the second America’s Cup Preliminary Regatta in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. 

Later this week, the public will have the chance to meet the team and go behind the scenes at the official Base Opening on Thursday, 21 September from 16h30-21h located at Placa Odissea in Port Vell, Barcelona.

Arnaud Psarofaghis, skipper: "The mentality is really positive in the team right now. It was a shame to end the regatta like that. The first two races today were great, we had a full-on battle with Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli in both of them. They managed to beat us in the first one and then we managed to take them down in the second one. It was great racing all-around and it was full-on.

Everyone on our team is sailing really well and the gap between the teams is narrow. If you can get the jump from the start and be slightly ahead, you can really achieve a lot. We are proud of our performance. We had to work hard to get here and we just need to adjust some things. We’ll be back for Jeddah fighting for a podium and we know where to make our adjustments. I think looking forward it's just going to be great to get racing again in Jeddah.”

Nils Frei, head coach: "Overall, we are definitely in the mix. We could easily be on the podium in this event so this was a good competition for us. It's always good to be racing against other boats. It was about putting procedures in place, focusing on things like the positioning before the start, our analysis between races and the communication with the chase boat. There is the sailing part on the one hand and all the organization that goes on as well. It's all part of the learning and there were a lot of really positive things for us here in Vilanova.”

The team was in the mix for a place in the final match race going into Race 5 but an issue with the one-design emergency stop of the foil cant system at the start of the last fleet race forced us to go back on shore. It’s clearly disappointing but it was not something within our control.”

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About Alinghi Red Bull Racing

After over a decade away from the Cup, Alinghi, one of the most dynamic names in the history of the America’s Cup, is returning to battle for sailing’s highest honour. The consecutive-winning syndicate joins forces with Red Bull, the driving force in global sport, to create a new team: Alinghi Red Bull Racing.

The team sails under the flag of the Société Nautique de Genève and is accompanied by its main partner Swiss watch brand TUDOR and co-partner Prysmian Group. The official Swiss challenger will compete in the Selection Series for the 37th America’s Cup, in 2024 in Barcelona. The countdown has begun!