Barcelona, 31 May 2024 – After a rigorous selection process last year, Alinghi Red Bull Racing announced their final roster for the UniCredit Youth & Puig Women’s America’s Cup in September, featuring 12 talented sailors to represent Switzerland. Since their selection, the athletes have been engaged in various individual projects and intensive simulator training, honing their skills and preparing for the challenges ahead.
This week, the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Youth & Women’s teams gathered in Barcelona for an intensive training camp, marking their first time sailing the AC40s in the Mediterranean waters. The last time they met was on the snowy slopes of Zermatt, Switzerland, and moving to the warm seas of Barcelona marks a significant milestone in their journey.
Alexandra Stalder from the Women’s team expressed her excitement at sailing in Barcelona: “My first day on the AC40 was really emotional. The hours spent in the simulator with my teammates were fundamental—it seemed like we already knew the boat. Once it started to fly, it was amazing how high we were and the speed we were going!”
For the past two months, Morgan Lauber has been actively involved at the Alinghi Red Bull Racing base as part of the Shore & Tech Pathway. This initiative has integrated a select few young sail racers into various departments, including the shore team, electronics, data analysis, and design. As a boat builder and member of the Youth team, Lauber has gained hands-on experience in every aspect of the Swiss campaign while also sailing the AC40 yacht. “It’s amazing how you feel the G-force and how responsive the boat is. From the outside, everything looks stable, but inside the boat is shaking with speed.”
The teams have been experimenting with different pairings, placing members in various roles to assess their performance. Matias Bühler, head coach for the Youth & Women’s teams, praised the progress made. “It’s been really impressive to see how they’ve jumped onboard and found their marks so quickly, especially in such wavy conditions.”
At this stage of the campaign, every hour on the water matters.
With their first taste of sailing in Barcelona and an intensive week of training and bonding, the groundwork has been laid. The teams are now eagerly anticipating the start of full-time training this summer.
More quotes below:
Morgan Lauber, Youth and Shore & Tech Teams: “It’s great to be here at the base because you know that you’re in good company. You know that if you have any questions, you can find the master of that topic. We know that we are in good hands, and everyone is pushing really hard. It’s really great to know that you are with the people that have the same goals as you. You’re all pushing and pulling on the same ropes. What’s really cool is to be surrounded by people with the same goals as you. You know you have to give your best, and you want to because you know that everyone beside you is giving their best too.”
Alexandra Stalder, Women’s Team: “Being on the water for the first time in Barcelona and sailing alongside the AC75s was wonderful. They look like spaceships, and being in the water with them makes you really feel part of this America’s Cup.”
Matias Bühler, Head Coach of the Youth & Women’s teams: “For the next days, we’re going to work on reaching decent levels so we can then go more specifically into boat handling exercises and performance. Our main goal is to find our marks, establish proper routines, get everybody familiar with their positions, and to really make this setup as efficient as possible so we can maximise every minute of each day.”
Alinghi Red Bull Racing – 2024 UniCredit Youth, Puig Women’s America’s Cup, and Shore & Tech Pathway Team Selections
– Morgan Lauber (Youth / Shore & Tech Pathway – boat builder), 01.12.1999, Ballens, Club Nautique Morges
– Jann Schüpbach (Youth / Shore & Tech Pathway – electronics), 04.12.2000, Thun, Thunersee Yachtclub / Regattaclub Oberhofen
– Andrea Aschieri (Youth), 30.11.2003, Gland, Société Nautique de Nyon
– Nathalie Brugger (Women), 25.12.1985, Fribourg, Gstaad Yacht Club / CV Estavayer /CN Morges
– Arno de Planta (Youth), 12.03.1999, Pully, Société Nautique de Genève / Cercle de la Voile de Vidy
– Arnaud Grange (Youth), 21.09.2002, Anières, Société Nautique de Genève
– Marie Mazuay (Youth & Women), 21.05.2005, Aire-la-Ville, Club Nautique Versoix / Société Nautique de Genève
– Laurane Mettraux (Women), 03.08.1992, Club Nautique VersoixJoshua Richner (Youth), 05.04.2002, Courgevaux, Gstaad Yacht Club / Thunersee-Yachtclub
– Maja Siegenthaler (Women), 11.11.1992, Bern, Thunersee-Yachtclub
– Alexandra Stalder (Youth & Women), 12.07.1999, Oppeano, Circolo Vela Torbole
– Anja von Allmen (Youth & Women), 23.05.2003, Spiez, Gstaad Yacht Club / Regatta Club Oberhofen / Yacht Club Spiez
– Alex de Weck (Shore & Tech Pathway – data analysis), 13.04.2005
– Matthieu Sistek (Shore & Tech Pathway – designer), 21.03.2001