Alinghi, America's Cup & Louis Vuitton Cup

An update from the gym...

An update from the physical training team on how they are preparing the sailors for the America’s Cup…

Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

How is the department preparing for the America’s Cup?

Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

We have been preparing for two and a half years and now it’s the fine tuning. We are happy at the moment, one month before the Cup starts, everybody is healthy and in good shape. We have no injured sailors. Now is the month when we have to do the small things, prepare everybody for a good recovery and also prepare the nutrition. In the training we try to keep a rhythm but not to push too hard.

How is the department adapting in the lead up to the Cup, compare this time last year to now?

We are slowing the rhythm of the training down a bit to be fresh and to be ready, so we are not pushing ourselves as hard as possible but we are pushing to achieve the best condition possible.

How does your department’s work contribute to the team goal to win the America’s Cup again?

We try to do our job to put the 36 sailors in the best possible shape so the best 17 ones can be chosen.

How does your department deal with pressure in the lead up to the Cup?

Is there some pressure on? (ironic) Our pressure was to get everybody fit and get them in shape as much as possible. We work in a quiet place at the base where people can come to, where they can talk, joke, where they can do some training. This is how we can deal with the pressure at the moment. Having time for the sailors is a good way to help.

Tip to the sailing team?

Just do what you normally do because I think we have the best sailors and don’t try crazy things and have fun!

Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

Do you think the exercises pattern will change much from what you have been doing compared to the Cup?

We’ll slow the rhythm and during the Cup we’ll do light training to put everything in place, nothing new.

What are the main differences between a grinder and one of the afterguard sailors?

The grinder needs to have maximum power and also to be able to recover from high level exercise. The afterguard need high concentration levels, so one is more physical and the other is more mental but at the end they all need to be fit.

You’ve spent 3 years to prepare for a maximum of 9 races. How do you manage to keep the level and the momentum high?

We’ve tried to find some variety in what we do. At the Club Náutico, in our temporary base, we did exercises in the swimming pool, played soccer, then we moved to the base and we exercised on the beach and in the gym or on the basketball court. In Dubai, we varied it even further with beach volley ball. The work is almost the same, but we package it differently. This keep them interested and fit.