Ernesto Bertarelli, the head of Swiss America's Cup challenger syndicate Alinghi, today said he believed the first 20 minutes of each race against New Zealand in sailing's premier event would be decisive when the finals start next month.
"We are pretty confident in the potential of our SUI 64 boat. But
the real test is in reality. The first 20 minutes will largely define the regatta's outcome," Bertarelli told a news conference in Geneva.
Alinghi, backed by the biotechnology billionaire, beat US rivals Oracle BMW Racing 5-1 in the Louis Vuitton challengers final off Auckland earlier this month to advance to the best-of-nine final against Team New Zealand starting on February 15.
He said that his team, led by former Team New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts and tactician Brad Butterworth, had the advantage of having raced together for several months.
But Bertarelli also appeared to take a swipe at the New Zealand team, saying competitors had been able to observe and "sometimes copy" Alinghi, including its large sail.
The 37-year-old also said there had been an "aggressive press campaign" against Alinghi, and he hoped Swiss fans would cheer them on against the holders.
The Swiss was quoted recently in an interview with the Geneva daily "Le Temps" as saying if Alinghi won the trophy, he would probably move the event to the Mediterranean because Switzerland is land-locked.
He cited ports of Naples, Barcelona, Palma de Majorca, Lisbon and Saint Tropez as possible venues for the event but today was less categorical saying it was "a bit premature to speculate on the place and reasons for the choice".
"It is a relatively complicated process. We have started to think about it. The first criteria is the weather, then the logistics.
"If we bring the event to Europe it has to be done on the large-scale that a great sporting festival deserves."
- REUTERS
nzherald.co.nz/americascup
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