Photo credit: Chris Schmid / Eyemage Media
Tanguy Cariou: The start in this race is absolutely key. We will be focusing on getting off the line in clear air and without collisions and then implementing our strategy. It is very important to achieve this because it is a long race with a lot of different conditions up the course.
How do you adapt as tactician to a distance race with so many boats involved?
TC: Well it is different to the grand prix style racing being such a long race, but in reality, it is like any other race from my point of view as you need to track the wind, the transitions, follow the shifts, keep an eye on the other boats, control, and in some cases attack the opposition. So I would say it is just a longer race. You don't need to be too aggressive, you need to stay with the other boats and await the right opportunities to take the lead.
What is the forecast?
TC: We are currently tracking the forecast, but it is not that obvious at the moment as to how it is going to settle. Over the last two days we have had a very strong southerly trend, but tomorrow there is due to be a change. It is likely to be a day of transition between systems, so for now it isn't too easy to forecast. I would say we'll have around 5-12knots, but we know the direction is going to change a lot throughout the day, so we are still working on that.
What is the plan for the rest of today, how is the team preparing?
TC: We are preparing the boat for the long race, putting navigation lights on, getting the gear and food organised, etc. We plan to sail this afternoon for a couple of hours to shake down ahead of tomorrow. We will also have to decide before 20:00 tonight whether we sail with five or six crew and this will depend on tomorrow's weather forecast.
Alinghi crew:
Ernesto Bertarelli, helmsman
Pierre-Yves Jorand, mainsail trimmer
Nils Frei, trimmer
Yves Detrey, bow/mastman
Tanguy Cariou, tactician
Coraline Jonet, trimmer – TBD based on weather forecast.
Source : Alinghi
