Everything was in place for a full day of racing on this, the opening of Act 2 of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series in Qingdao: The course laid out and seven teams looking forward to the battle. Alas, the wind, too weak at the start of the afternoon, had other ideas. For the first hour and a half, because of the unstable wind, which was of the type that can make the finish line a complete lottery, the GC32s took part in 'non-scoring races' – that is, races that got the fleet out on the water, but which counted for nothing in the overall scheme. Suddenly, however, between 10 and 14 knots of breeze filled the bay, making possible three competitive races and providing beautiful images of foiling catamarans for the telephoto lenses of a hundred photographers lined-up on the sea-wall – home to the Qingdao Olympic Nautical Centre – who enjoyed a direct view of the racing. For those who like statistics, Alinghi were today only 6% off a faultless performance, having recorded one win (12 points) and two second-place finishes (11 points each), meaning that they scored 34 points from a total of the 36 on offer. SAP Extreme Sailing Team and Red Bull Sailing team occupy the remaining two places on the provisional podium, each with 30 points. Nicolas Charbonnier, tactician, said: "The opening day's performance is, of course, in line with the objectives we set ourselves, but concentrating on what we need to do remains our priority. We bank what we have achieved, but start tomorrow from a clean slate, knowing that with three days of racing to come – and in conditions that are capable of changing, rapidly – everything remains to be done." To watch our tactician's full debriefing about the day, check our Facebook page by clicking here Check back tomorrow at 2pm (local time) for the second day of racing. After the first three races (12 points are awarded for a 1st place, 11 points for a 2nd, 10 points for a third etc.) the overall standings are: 1st - Alinghi (SUI): 1st, 2nd, 2nd > 34 points 2nd - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN): 4th, 4th, 1st > 30 points 3rd - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): 2nd, 1st, 6th > 30 points 4th - NZ Extreme Sailing Team (NZL): 7th, 3rd, 3rd > 26 points 5th - Oman Air (OMA): 3rd, 7th, 5th > 24 points Find all the results at: www.extremesailingseries.com/results To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Credit for photos © Xaume Olleros If you want to know more about how to follow the racing, about Alinghi's team, or just about this regatta in general, you will find all that you need in the recap at the bottom of this news story. #GoAlinghiGo

T-minus two days until the start of the second Act of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series™, which will take place in China from Friday 28 April to Monday 1 May. For the seventh consecutive year, Qingdao – the host city for sailing in the 2008 Beijing Olympics – will welcome the ESS fleet. It's a place that holds happy memories for Alinghi's tactician, Nicolas Charbonnier, who won bronze in the 470 series in those 2008 games. Alinghi's bowman, Yves Detrey, echoes the opinion of all who have sailed in Fushan Bay when he says: "Here everything and anything can happen. With the skyscrapers framing the bay making for a very variable wind, the watchword has to be adaptability. During open-water regattas (outside the bay), we have to deal with the current, while in 'stadium racing' mode (very close to the shore and to the public), whether the wind is weak or strong, the water is very disturbed anyway. Having won the event last year, we know that we are able to adapt here and do what we need to do whatever the conditions. This week, our goal is clear: win! After our 2nd place in Oman a month ago, we are keen to go one better and take the lead in the overall standings after this stage." Adapt on the water, but not just there... Yves Detrey: "Two factors have disrupted our preparation for this Act. The first, logistical, does not concern us too much, especially since every team is in the same situation. The containers carrying boats and equipment were delayed by two days, leaving us less time than usual to carry out the assembly and to launch the GC32 and the semi-rigid. But, as I said, with all teams facing the same issue and with us not having big work to do on our boat, we can certainly cope. "The second disruptive factor is a bit more of a pain, especially for Nils. Our iconic trimmer has, unfortunately, broken his foot, an injury suffered in mid-April. We've brought the young and experienced Bryan Mettraux on board to replace him. Given the similarities in terms of Nils's and Bryan's abilities, this change won't have an impact in terms of individual performance, but what we all need to focus on as a team is how we communicate, which is of all importance. That's why we will be doing a double-training session to make sure we all know our lines. "Fortunately, Bryan is a veteran trimmer with Realteam, who races these boats on the GC32 Racing Tour and we all met in Switzerland last week to review the "who does what" on the various manoeuvres." Bryan Mettraux was practically born on a boat. After three years of Optimist and three years of 420, he joined the Centre d'Entraînement à la Régate (Geneva) in 2008 to sail on the Tour de France of Sailing and on the Décision 35 circuit. For the following three seasons he sailed with Team Realstone (D35 & Extreme 40), then for two seasons with Team Tilt (D35 & GC32). Now 27, he is racing with Realteam on the GC32 tour, training that team for their D35 sailing, and working as a shipbuilder in the winter at the Philippe Durr shipyard. Undoubtedly his experience, power and height – 6ft'4, or 1.95m – will be valuable assets for Alinghi. Bryan Mettraux said: "I'm looking forward to sailing with the Alinghi team. I have already sailed a lot with Arnaud and I know the position, so I have no particular apprehensions. I just have to adapt as quickly as possible to the peculiarities of the crew work during our one day of training on Thursday. " Racing starts on Friday, April 28 at 2pm (local time), with up to 10 races planned. A RECAP : What: "The Extreme Sailing Series™ Act 2, Qingdao, Mazarin Cup", second Act of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series™, which comprises eight events, in eight host cities on three continents. Who: Seven international teams, each composed of five sailors Where: Qingdao, China (on the east coast, between Beijing and Shanghai) When: Between Friday 28th April and Monday 1st May How: Teams compete over short and fast courses in front of the public aboard a 32ft flying, foiling catamaran: the GC32 Follow the action Follow the Alinghi Team from the 28th of April to 1st of May (up to 10 races each afternoon – but be aware of time difference : GMT + 8 hours, + 6 hours compared to Swiss time): Online, via www.alinghi.com and www.extremesailingseries.com > Races modeled in 3D from Saturday 29th April to Monday 1st May > Live racing from Sunday 30th April to Monday 1st May, from 2pm local time until the end of racing > Replays available at the end of racing On Twitter @alinghiteam > Updates after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and on Instagram @alinghi > Interviews, videos, photos throughout the regatta Alinghi's GC32 Team Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail Trimmer: Bryan Mettraux (SUI), replacing the injured Nils Frei (SUI) Foil regulator: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical Team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Trainer and Team Director Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo #Extremesailing Credit for photos © Lloyd Images

On the eve of the outcome of this Act 1 of the 2017 Extreme Sailing Series in Oman, the competition between the top three is fiercer than even yesterday. After 21 races, only four points separate SAP Extreme Sailing Team, Oman Air and Alinghi. We shall find out tomorrow, when, after the last race, the winner's name will be etched on the trophy. Things are so close that it could be a tie, but there's a rule for that: The boat best placed in the last race wins. It could come down to it... Alinghi's youngest sailor, Tim Lapauw, joined the team's coach to shed some light on this busy day, and the tactics for tomorrow. Tim Lapauw, foil trimmer: "It was super conditions in Oman for this penultimate day. The wind blew between 10 and 13 knots, which enabled us to do nine races, a record for one afternoon. I think we're all going to sleep well tonight! "We are third overall, ready and waiting for SAP and Oman Air ahead of us. Red Bull are now a bit further back after a disqualification for a false start under the black flag rule, the equivalent of 12 points lost, and also suffered of less consistency at the front. In terms of Alinghi, we had a great start to the day, moving to the top of the general standings after a couple of wins. They were then followed by a few fourth and fifth place finishes, which dropped us down the table, but we're still only three points off Oman Air in second, and four behind SAP, who lead. As always, it's tight and it will be decided tomorrow. We will give everything, because we are here to win!" Pierre-Yves Jorand, coach: "Consistency, consistency, consistency – that's the key to success tomorrow. The team that finishes in the top three in the races most regularly will be the one that prevails. If the weather tomorrow is as favorable as it was today, there will be about 80 points on offer, which is a lot. It will be necessary to remain concentrated for three hours and leave no room for a possible slump. "For example, today, the challenge lay in the mid-afternoon change to the type of start and to the course. It was therefore necessary to review our starting procedure methods and our subsequent strategies. In this game you have to adapt, and fast. If you don't, as some teams found, points can be lost. "Finally, as we enter the fourth day, the physical condition becomes key, and not just the sailors, but the boat's materials too. As far as we are concerned, we arrived for some twenty days of sailing here in Oman. As we approach the end, the muscles are on fire and the boat's materials are getting close too. You can see the proof of this in how many teams needed maintenance periods in between each run. These GC32s are absolutely fantastic boats, but their complicated mechanics require a lot of maintenance. Tomorrow it will be a matter of having sailors well rested and a boat perfectly prepared. The team is already in bed after dinner at 6:30 pm and with João and David our boat is in excellent hands." For tomorrow Saturday, check back at 1:30pm (local time) for the final day of this Act 1 broadcast live video on Facebook and Youtube. The awards' ceremony will be held at 5:30 pm (local time). After 21 races, the overall standings of Act 1 of the 2017 ESS in Oman (12 points are awarded for a 1st place, 11 points for a 2nd, 10 points for a third etc.) read: 1st - SAP EXTREME SAILING TEAM (DEN): 116 points after the 2nd day + places today of 1st + 2nd + 4th + 3rd + 2nd + 6th + 1st + 4th + 2nd> 208 points 2nd - OMAN AIR (OMA): 117 pts + 4th, 5th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 6th> 207 points 3rd - ALINGHI (SUI): 114 pts + 3rd + 1st + 1st + 5th + 4th, 4th, 5th, 3rd, 1st> 204 points 4th - RED BULL SAILING TEAM (AUT): 116 pts + 5th + 4th + 8th + 8th + disqualified for premature start + 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 8th> 185 points 5th - TEAM TILT (SUI): 93 pts + 2nd + 7th + 5th + 6th + 5th + 1st + 4th + 5th + 4th> 171 points Find all the results at: www.extremesailingseries.com/results THE RECAP What: 1st stage of the Extreme Sailing Series ™ 2017 circuit comprising eight events, in eight host cities, on three continents Who: Nine international teams, each composed of five team members Where: Muscat, Oman
When: Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th March How: Teams compete over short courses in front of the public on a 32 foot foiling catamaran: the GC32 Tracking the racing Follow the Alinghi team from the 8th to 11th of March (up to 10 races each afternoon – but be aware of the time difference: GMT + 4 hours, + 3 hours compared to Swiss time): Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) or at www.extremesailingseries.com > Races modeled in 3D from 9th to the 11th of March > Live video on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th afternoon (from the beginning of the races, until the end) > Replays available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam > Thread after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and Instagram @alinghi > Video and video interviews throughout the regatta Alinghi's GC32 Crew Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Foil Adjuster: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Coach and Team Leader Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo #Extremesailing Photo credit
 © Lloyd Images

At the midway point of racing in Oman, four boats are competing at the top of the rankings having widened the gap on their pursuers. Oman Air took the lead tonight, just one point ahead of Red Bull Sailing Team alongside SAP Sailing Team. Alinghi lies in wait, two points behind. As Nicolas (tactician) said yesterday, in the ESS a single race can upset the order, so it is not wise to think that anything is settled, either way. With each place worth a point, with several races per day, and with four contenders for victory not accustomed to easing the pressure on one another, the battle for the top is expected to rage until the last race of Saturday, a race that has the added interest of counting for double points. Nils Frei, headsail trimmer: "This second day of racing started with 10-11 knots of wind, but it quickly faded to seven. In other words, it was a real day of light wind, with a flat sea, little foiling and gentle passing manoeuvres in the afternoon. "We were still able to run five races with us recording three third place finishes, one fifth and then a first in the last race of the day. Now that we have opened our account for wins this season, it's our job to increase the balance! "Overall, it has been a good series for us. We achieved the second best performance of the day (after Oman Air) and nibbled away at those ahead of us. That said, we can still sail better. I think we were at a slightly higher level at the end of last year, so we have to continue to refine a few small points to once again be at the top. Anyway, everything remains open over the next two days given the small gap separating the top four - we have to treat each race as a blank slate." Tomorrow, Friday, the start of the first possible race has been advanced to 1pm due to lighter weather forecast than today. Here's hoping that the wind up when the teams line up! The live video online will start at the beginning of the regattas. After day two, the general classification after 12 races (12 points are awarded for a 1st place, 11 points for a 2nd, 10 points for a third etc.) reads: 1st - Oman Air (OMA): 65 points after the 1st day + places today of 4th, 4th, 2nd, 1st, 2nd> 117 points 2nd - Red Bull S.T. (AUT): 68 pts + 2nd + 2nd + 4th + 6th + 3rd> 116 points 3rd - SAP Extreme S.T. (DEN): 69 pts + 1st + 6th + 1st + 2nd + 8th> 116 points 4th - Alinghi (SUI): 64 pts + 5th + 3rd + 3rd + 3rd + 1st> 114 points 5th - Team Tilt (SUI): 54 pts + 8th + 1st + 5th + 5th + 7th> 93 points Find all the results at: www.extremesailingseries.com/results THE RECAP What: 1st stage of the Extreme Sailing Series ™ 2017 circuit comprising eight events, in eight host cities, on three continents Who: Nine international teams, each composed of five team members Where: Muscat, Oman
When: Wednesday 8th to Saturday 11th March How: Teams compete over short courses in front of the public on a 32 foot foiling catamaran: the GC32 Tracking the racing Follow the Alinghi team from the 8th to 11th of March (up to 10 races each afternoon – but be aware of the time difference: GMT + 4 hours, + 3 hours compared to Swiss time): Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) or at www.extremesailingseries.com > Races modeled in 3D from 9th to the 11th of March > 3hrs of live images on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th afternoon (from the beginning of the races, until the end) > Replays available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam > Thread after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi and Instagram @alinghi > Video and video interviews throughout the regatta Alinghi's GC32 Crew Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Foil Adjuster: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical team João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Coach and Team Leader Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI) To find out more www.extremesailingseries.com Hashtags for the event #GoAlinghiGo #Extremesailing Photo credit
 © Lloyd Images

For the five Alinghi teammates and the other seven teams in the running, this penultimate day of competition was synonymous with action and endurance. In wind of 13 to 20 knots, the race director Phil Lawrence launched eight races, each consisting of three laps of the course. It must be admitted that the weather and conditions can be quite magical in Sydney Bay: the setting is sublime and the wind has allowed for a flying spectacle, sometimes epic, on each of the 17 races launched since Thursday. Arnaud Psarofaghis, Alinghi's helm said: "With an average start on the first race of the day, we could only manage a 6th place. But we improved straightaway, picking up two 3rd places, two second and three wins. That meant we had the best of it out of all the fleet with 85 points added to our total. Red Bull also had a great day and moved ahead of Oman in the overall standings. It is difficult to point out what really makes the difference between the teams, since we're all so close - indeed, five out eight have won in Sydney. For our part, we seek to navigate in a simple way, execute nice manoeuvres and concentrate on just running the boat. It seems that the strategy is paying off, in any case. Anyway, it's been a great day and we have the satisfaction of a job well done. Tomorrow we will continue in the same spirit." After three days of racing, Alinghi is now six points ahead of Red Bull Sailing Team and 19 ahead of Oman Air. Not enough, however, to mean that the deal is done, given how radically things can change with one or two bad races. Especially since the last race of tomorrow will count for double points. Nicolas Charbonnier, tactician said: "To prepare for the final day of racing, we will first try to rest to recover from a very physical day. We will do a debriefing session tomorrow morning to identify a few small improvements and then we will continue to methodically apply our strategy without focusing too much on our two main opponents, because the races come thick and fast, as does the distribution of points for doing well in them! If there is pressure, it just pushes us to give the best of ourselves." The 2016 season will be settled this Sunday between 14:00 and 17:00 (local time, UTC + 11) Prize-giving scheduled for 17:45 (local time, UTC + 11)   The general standings after 17 races (four of which were in the split-fleet format) are: 1st - Alinghi (SUI): 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 2nd, 1st, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 1st, 1st: 152 points 2nd - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): 1st, 6th, 3rd, 3rd, 1st, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st, 4th, 5th: 146 points 3rd - Oman Air (OMA ): 3rd, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 3rd, 4th, 3rd, 7th, 6th, 4th: 133 points Find all of the results in detail at http://www.extremesailingseries.com/results/2016-Sydney  

Six races overall, four for each team (with the fleet sailing in two groups in the afternoon), about twenty laps around the course's buoys, and as many turns and gybes by each boat, and all in a wind that varied from eight to 22 knots and under the beautiful Australian sun. Such were the ingredients for Day 2 of the final Act of the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series™ in Sydney. Pierre-Yves Jorand explains the decision to split the fleet in two: "One of the peculiarities and attractions of this Series is that the spectators can get close to the boats as they race, much the same as you would from the stands in Formula 1. Given the strong and unstable wind we had today, shifting in force and direction, the Race Director had no choice but to split the fleet to launch the early races in a confined area close to the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron." Sailing in this configuration, Alinghi won both of the runs, having made good starts, maintained good speed and made good manoeuvres. Nils Frei takes up the story of the rest of the day: "A change in the direction of the wind meant that the course could be reconfigured and the whole fleet could race as one. With eight boats on this narrow course you can quickly find yourself in traffic if you don't take a risk at the start. Some teams certainly took this approach to try and find clear water. That can pay off, but it can also go the other way, for example going across the line too soon or executing the start poorly. Given where we stand, we went for conservative starts, which is why we recorded 4th and 5th place finishes. We can be happy with our day, because with this kind of race format anything can happen." In terms of the battle for the Series podium, all three contenders scored a similar amount of points on Day 2. Although Alinghi relinquish one point to Oman Air, the Swiss team still lead the standings at the halfway point of this grand final of the 2016 season.   After seven races for each team (two per team were in the split fleet format, meaning Sydney Harbour has seen nine races overall) the general standings read: 1st – Alinghi (SUI): 2nd,1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 4th, 5th – 67 points 2nd – Oman Air (OMA): 3rd, 4th, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 3rd – 65 points 3rd – Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): 1st, 6th, 4rd, 4rd, 1st, 3rd, 4th: 62 points Find all of the results in detail at http://www.extremesailingseries.com/results/2016-Sydney   Follow the action With up to eight races on each of the four days, there will be plenty of sport to enjoy, though do watch out for the time difference: UTC + 11, i.e. + 10 hours compared to Swiss time. Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) - Races modeled in 3D from December 8 to 11 - 90 minutes of live pictures on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th afternoon (from 3.30pm to 5pm local time) - Replay available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam: - Updates after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi: - Pictures and video interviews throughout the regatta - Live broadcast of the awards ceremony - Sunday 11 December from 17.45 local time (= 7.45 in Switzerland)

"The conditions were pretty wild today in Sydney harbour. With such strong winds, our focus was on keeping control of the boat. We could foil, but we avoided doing anything crazy! To be confident of our manoeuvres we were even on our hands and knees as we traversed the net during the turns and gybes". So said Yves Detrey, Alinghi’s bowman and one of the toughest sailors on the circuit. It was a hard day in this, the opening of the grand final of the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series™, with an average wind of 20 knots and gusts up to 28. With this the situation, Alignhi’s caution proved a good decision, providing two second-place finishes and a victory in the day’s three races. Their rival for the Series, Oman Air, also won a race, but finished third and fourth in the others. In the middle of the afternoon, the race committee asked the competitors to return to the dock. Tim Lapauw explains: "In the third round, two boats capsized (Portuguese Visit Madeira and English Land Rover BAR Academy). Thankfully, there were no injuries or damages to the boats, but, understandably, for safety reasons, the race director preferred to stop there. We sailed well and are happy with our day. We were just really watchful and respectful of the conditions." So far, so good for the team, who now look to continue where they left off tomorrow. The standings in Sydney after three races, with 12 points for first place, 11 for second and so on, are: 1st – Alinghi (SUI): 2nd, 1st, 2nd: 34 points 2nd – Oman Air (OMA): 3rd, 4th, 1st: 31 points 3rd – Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): 1st, 6th, 3rd: 29 points Find all of the results at http://www.extremesailingseries.com/results/2016-Sydney

After its triumph on a monohull in the America's Cup and numerous victories on multihulls in the Decision 35 and Extreme 40 competitions, this week sees Ernesto Bertarelli’s Alinghi try to add foiling catamarans to the list of boats on which they’ve won championships. Starting next Thursday the 8th and running until Sunday the 11th  Sydney will play host to the last Act of the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series™ (ESS) with eight international teams doing battle in the iconic harbour between the Opera House and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron. And at stake? A world-class sailing championship on the ‘flying’ GC32. Alinghi, the form team Timothé Lapauw, trimmer, comments: "Since September, we've had three wins in a row, so if anything the pressure is on our competitors in this last Act.”  And if there is pressure rising as the start in Australia draw closer, then it’s one that Tim enjoys. "Once on the water, I'm focused solely on my job. There is so much to do in this fast-racing format that I do not have time to think about anything else!" The skipper, Arnaud Psarofaghis, says: "I know that the pressure generated by what is at stake will help us to raise our level. The goal is clear for us all – win! We are eager to do battle and we are confident, but certainly don’t take anything for granted because our opponents are so strong and anything and everything can happen in this kind of racing.” Podium secured, but where upon it is not… The general classification for the 2016 Series currently reads: 1st  - Oman Air (OMA): 79 points 2nd  - Alinghi (SUI): 77 3rd  - Red Bull Sailing Team (AUT): 73 4th  - SAP Extreme Sailing Team (DEN): 61 5th  - Land Rover BAR Academy (GBR): 54 6th  - Visit Madeira (POR): 49 This eighth and final stage of the 2016 circuit counts for double, meaning the points in play in Sydney are 24 for first place, 22 for second and so on. In the case of a tie, the team best placed in Sydney will take the Series. At this stage of the competition, a place on the final podium is assured for Oman Air, Alinghi and Red Bull Sailing Team, but it of course remains to be seen in which order the leading trio will stand upon it finish. To win this championship, Alinghi must finish in front of Oman Air and not finish more than a place behind Red Bull. A Recap What: Grand final of the 2016 Extreme Sailing Series™, which has seen eight Acts in eight host cities, on three continents. Who: Eight international teams, each made up of a crew of five Where: Sydney Harbor (Australia), between the Opera House and the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron When: Thursday 8th to Sunday 11th December How: Teams compete in short, fast races in front of the public on a 32-ft foiling catamaran, the GC32   Follow the action With up to eight races on each of the four days, there will be plenty of sport to enjoy, though do watch out for the time difference: UTC + 11, i.e. + 10 hours compared to Swiss time. Online, via the Alinghi homepage (www.alinghi.com) - Races modeled in 3D from December 8 to 11 - 90 minutes of live pictures on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th afternoon (from 3.30pm to 5pm local time) - Replay available at the end of the races On Twitter @alinghiteam: - Updates after each race On Facebook @teamalinghi: - Pictures and video interviews throughout the regatta - Live broadcast of the awards ceremony - Sunday 11 December from 17.45 local time (= 7.45 in Switzerland)   Crew Bowman: Yves Detrey (SUI) Headsail trimmer: Nils Frei (SUI) Headsail trimmer and foil adjuster: Timothé Lapauw (FRA) Tactician and mainsail trimmer: Nicolas Charbonnier (FRA) Helm, co-skipper: Arnaud Psarofaghis (SUI) Technical Team and Coach João Cabeçadas (POR) David Nikles (SUI) Pierre-Yves Jorand (SUI)