First Victory for Alinghi Red Bull Racing in PUIG Women’s America’s Cup
by Alinghi Red Bull Racing 10 Oct 09:05 PDT
10 October 2024
Anja Von Allmen, part of the Alinghi Red Bull Racing Women’s Team, celebrates their triumph in Race 5 of the PUIG Women’s America’s Cup Group stage on Race Day 2 in Barcelona, Spain, on 10th October 2024. © Samo Vidic / America’s Cup
Only one race took place in today’s gentle weather, but Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s Women’s team made it successful, skillfully navigating the difficult course to outperform their competitors. The other three races are set for tomorrow to identify the three teams that will qualify for the Final Series of the inaugural Women’s America’s Cup.
The second day of competition for Alinghi Red Bull Racing in the Puig Women’s America’s Cup began slowly due to light winds, hindering the start of the races. However, once racing commenced, the Swiss squad made their mark. In challenging conditions characterized by light winds and significant swell, the first and only race saw all teams grappling to remain on their foils. The Swiss team took advantage, sailing smoothly and maintaining flight to secure the lead. During the final leg, they briefly dipped down but quickly recovered to glide over the finish line ahead of the fleet. With the winds dying down for the remainder of the day, the other three races were postponed until tomorrow. Currently positioned in the top three of their group, the Swiss team must retain their standing to progress to the next round, where the America’s Cup teams will be joined by the leading three Invited Teams. Click here for today’s race outcomes and current rankings.
Alexandra Stalder, Helm: “Today has been one of the best days of my life. Winning a race in the Cup is extraordinary, and I’m really delighted. However, we’re not yet guaranteed a spot in the next round; we need to strive for these final points. Tonight is crucial—we must get a good night’s sleep and be prepared for tomorrow. The conditions haven’t been ideal lately, so race management will need to replicate today’s strategies. It’s definitely going to be a challenging race.”
Laurane Mettraux, Trimmer: “We’re accustomed to these unpredictable conditions in Switzerland; it’s simply part of the game, and we anticipated that it might be tricky out there today. In this race, we executed some excellent maneuvers to stay airborne, effectively managed our power, and positioned ourselves well on the course. We were continually seeking the pressure, and perhaps we were lucky to be at the right place at the right time, but we handled it well, which likely made the difference. Such races are never simple. I’m sure our heart rates were elevated, even if we weren’t overly active. It’s a fantastic result for the entire team. Winning races is always gratifying.”
Coraline Jonet, Project Manager, Women’s Team: “Days like today are what we’ve been preparing for since the start of the program. While there is fine-tuning on the day, all the effort the team has invested over the preceding weeks and months is reflected in today’s outcome. For the upcoming races, everything remains uncertain. If conditions aren’t favorable, race management may choose to conclude the Qualification Series, allowing the top three teams to advance. We will see what transpires on the water tomorrow.”
