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Louis Vuitton Cup

Russell Coutts : "[Oracle] will certainly be faster than last time"

jeudi 9 janvier 2003 – Redaction SSS [Source RP]

Alinghi’s media team has interviewed thier skipper about the final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.


On the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals and Oracle BMW Racing …
– RC : We’re really happy to have made it this far and obviously our next goal is to win the Louis Vuitton Cup. But we know it’s not going to be easy and this series against Oracle BMW Racing is going to be very different from previous races. They will certainly be faster than last time. I think from our point of view, being the top form boat throughout the series has been an advantage but it has also given Oracle a platform to try and achieve and better. We’re very conscious that we have to try and keep improving.

On the design of the Alinghi boats …
– Our boat design has been one of the key factors in the success of the team so far. It’s interesting to note that both Oracle and ourselves have opted for a very similar hull form, which is quite different to the previous boats in the last Americas Cup, and both have made it through this far.

Our sail programme has also been one of the leaders in the Louis Vuitton Cup with a lot of teams adopting the square top mains and oversized genoas that we developed. We’ve also made some good progress with our downwind sails and I’m very happy with the result.

On the multinational make-up of the Team…
– One of the most challenging things that faced us from day one was trying to get a culturally very mixed group of people to work together in an organized way. It has taken quite a while to get the best from everyone but we understand more about how this team should operate and have developed a strong platform for the future.
On the management style of Team Alinghi…

There is an ongoing process of improvements in all the teams but to be successful in the Louis Vuitton and America’s Cups you have to make sure that you are improving at a faster level than everyone else. The way we try to do this is to look very closely and honestly at our strengths and weaknesses. Improvements can come in both areas. We’ve also always had a philosophy of being open to fair and constructive critisism, using that to strengthen the team.

Another key factor for us has been having people like Jochen Schuemann involved. He’s been doing a really great job of managing the sailing team and has brought a fresh approach to the whole America’s Cup campaign.

On the Christmas holidays…
– The team managed a few days off over the Christmas period. My holiday was absolutely wonderful - I had the chance to spend time with my family and play with my two sons. It was great to take a break and refresh the mind.

We all feel very refreshed but we know there is a lot of work ahead of us and we will be stepping up the intensity for the final.

Interview from Media team of Alinghi

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