Alinghi strategist backs boat for speed

By JULIE ASH

Alinghi strategist Jochen Schuemann is not expecting a huge difference in boat speed when SUI64 lines up against Team New Zealand's black boat in a little over a week.

The triple Olympic gold medallist said yesterday that Alinghi had made a few "refinements" to their boat and were confident they would be able to match Team New Zealand.

"I think it will be quite even - we are very fast as well."

The Swiss syndicate took a group of journalists out to watch them train yesterday afternoon.

With Russell Coutts at the helm of SUI64 and Schuemann at the helm of SUI75, practising starts was the aim of the day.

Both boats had new rigs and early on in the session the code zero sail, introduced by Team New Zealand in the last cup, made an appearance.

The sail is used in light, fluky conditions and can be used in the pre-start to give teams a boost.

Coutts had the better of Schuemann well and truly in the first race before a fairly even split-tack start in the second.

Overall the Alinghi boats, neither of which appeared to be sporting hull appendages, looked slick.

As did the Swiss crews.

"I think we are ready to race them," Schuemann said. "Our team are very experienced.

"We have had some tough competition so we are not scared to go into the spotlight again."

Although the match has been described as a battle between experience and innovation, Alinghi tactician Brad Butterworth disagrees.

"I think it is a balance of everything.

"In the end you have two teams who have gone down the design trail and obviously gone in different directions; two teams who are pretty confident.

"I wouldn't say any one factor is going to be the difference."

However, unlike Schuemann, Butterworth believes Team New Zealand's boat may have an edge.

"By the sound of it their boat is pretty quick and speed is a good weapon," Butterworth said.

"So we will have to combat that to start with.

"And they have got a good sailing team, so I think it will be a great regatta."

If the wind gods could grant Alinghi just one wish during the match, Schuemann said, it would be for moderate winds.

"We would like to see good average winds, like 13 to 16 knots, to make it exciting for the spectators and ourselves.

"We don't mind over 20 knots because out on the water it is the same for both of us."

He said Oracle optimised their boat for light conditions for the challenger series final and Alinghi were satisfied with their performance against Oracle.

"I am not sure Team New Zealand can be faster than Oracle in light air."

Alinghi will be without key grinder Christian Karcher for the match.

The Frenchman has been troubled with a hip injury and has been forced to withdraw his services.

"There are always guys pushing others in the team, but it is difficult to replace Christian because he is a senior sailor, a very experienced guy," Schuemann said.

"It is a very sad thing, but it is part of sport and sometimes you can prepare for a long time and just before racing you might get injured and everything is gone."

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