Alinghi, America's Cup & Louis Vuitton Cup

Yves Detrey (SUI) ~ Pitman

Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

What does it mean to you to be sailing for Alinghi and defending the America’s Cup?

“I am very proud of this team. We are trying everything to win the cup again and keep it in Switzerland.”

Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

Alinghi clearly still has what it takes to win. In your opinion, what elements of the team set it apart from the rest?

“I think it’s the speed we have in our team and the way we sail. We manage our programme really well by not overloading ourselves, sailing at the right time and pushing hard when we have to push hard. There isn’t much repetition; we try to rotate the crews with different boats and different afterguards.”

Can you describe the physical and mental demands that racing at this level has on you?

“There is a lot of pressure but I just try to do my best on the water and don’t think about it. Physically it’s hard, it’s tough going to gym every day and racing on the water for five or six hours turning handles.”

Photo credit: Ivo Rovira / Alinghi

What do you think will be going through your head when you are lying in bed the night before the Match?

“I will be dreaming about winning the Cup but trying not to put too much pressure on myself.”

Describe your role on the boat and how it could make or break the outcome of a race and essentially affect whether or not Alinghi retains the Cup.

“In my role, we cannot win the race, but we can lose it. We’re not involved in the tactical decisions and pre-starts but we can lose the race by not hoisting the sails at the right time or dropping the spinnaker in the water at the bottom mark.”