Alinghi will be back on the Extreme Sailing Series circuit tomorrow with 3 stadium regattas and a 20 mile Coastal Race between the Old Town of Muscat and the Wave – stay tuned and follow us online or onsite – all useful information are provided here. The crew for this first event will be – Ernesto Bertarelli (Helm), Arnaud Psarofaghis (Main), Nicolas Charbonnier (Tactic), Nils Frei (Trim) & Yves Detrey (Bow). Go Alinghi, Go!

Last weekend marked the end of two weeks of intensive training for Alinghi in Dubai ahead of the Extreme Sailing Series 2016. These two weeks represented a unique occasion to work on crew coordination and to test many different conditions, from marginal flying to full power foiling. It was also the occasion for Arnaud Psarofaghis, one of the most gifted Swiss sailors who has reinforced the ranks of Alinghi as of this year, to spend hours at the helm of Alinghi’s GC32, as he will share this position on board together with team principal Ernesto Bertarelli throughout the 2016 season. Alinghi also welcomed a new team member, Timothé Lapaw, 19, who proved to be fully motivated and an asset for the team thanks to his agility and strength.  Pierre-Yves Jorand, who will be coaching the team this season said: “This training session was very positive and productive. The sailing conditions were perfect and we managed to sail a total of thirteen days. In every sense - team work, boat management and tactics - the learning curve was steep, but also enjoyable. We can’t wait for the season to officially start mid-March in Muscat, Oman” Photo credit: Lloyd Images

Having had to contend with light winds yesterday, the contrast could not have been greater on Day 4 of the GC32 Bullitt Tour in Marseille. The winds were brutal, with gusts of 34 knots at least - and often more. That meant that the Race Committee had no choice but to announce that racing could not take place. Their inevitable decision meant that Alinghi win the final event of the season in the GC32 Tour, a fantastic achievement and one that owes much to the team's stellar performances on days one and two. Oman's third-place finish in the regatta meant that they have secured the 2015 GC32 Championship, pipping Alinghi, who finish in second. Everybody at Alinghi would like to send Oman their congratulations on the title. Worthy adversaries indeed! Speaking after the event had concluded, Morgan Larson said: “It’s a pity we didn’t get any racing today but it's been a fantastic season. A while back I thought foiling was a bit of a fad, but clearly it’s here to stay. It’s awesome, we’re learning more every day, and it’s been a great season for the GC32 class.” It's been a lot of fun... Marseille: Alinghi Spindrift Sulatanate of Oman Team Engie Armin Strom Overall: Sultanate of Oman Alinghi Spindrift Armin Strom Team Engie Pictures credit: Sander van der Borch/Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour

It was a very tough day on Day 3 of the GC32 Bullitt Tour in Marseille, with light but shifting winds making it tricky for all of the teams. And, as it played out for Alinghi on a number of occasions, even if you nailed the start, the fact that the wind might die meant that your rivals might be able to use the momentum to behind you to seize the initiative. But that is not to take away from any of the competitors, as conditions were the same for all! There were to be no race wins for Alinghi on this penultimate day on the Med, but the team should be proud that they have retained their lead at the top of the regatta's leaderboard, albeit having seen it slimmed to three points ahead of Spindrift in second. Though there were no wins, the fact that Alinghi were second in three of the day's races has put them in a good place heading into tomorrow's final day. There is also some good news, with some good breeze forecast. Should be good...! Pictures credit: Sander van der Borch/Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour

At the end of Day 2 – and therefore halfway through the competition – Alinghi remain at the top of the leaderboard in Marseille for the GC32 Bullitt Racing Tour. It was going to have to be some performance were the team to replicate yesterday’s storming performance, but they came very close to doing so, winning two races out of five. Things got off to a good start, with the team winning the first race ahead of Spindrift. This was followed by three races that saw Alinghi finish second, third and fourth respectively, before they got back to winning ways in the final race of the day. After a perfect start, Morgan Larson and the team did not look back, leading the field for the entirety of the race. Today’s performance means that Alinghi now lead their closest rival by seven points. However, with two more days of racing to go, the contest remains very much open. Last but not least, Alinghi send their good wishes to Armin Strom, who were very unlucky to damage their rudder having hit something in the water in Race 4. Hope to see them back on the water tomorrow! Pictures credit: Sander van der Borch/Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour

The GC32 Racing Tour has rolled into Marseille this week and the Mediterranean has seen fit to provide the teams with good conditions for racing. With winds picking up nicely before the gun was fired, the sailors had the opportunity to push their flying machines as they are meant to be pushed. Six races were run and it could not have gone much better for Ernesto Bertarelli's Alinghi, with the team recording four victories, leaving them in a great position atop the leaderboard heading into Day 2. It wasn't always clear sailing - literally. In Race 2, Alinghi were up on the foils, going at over 20 knots, when the door was shut by a rival, meaning that a collision with the Race Committee looked imminent. Morgan Larson and the team managed to pass clear - by millimeters - and, with the Umpire's call green, went onto to take the race, having been 4th at the mark. High drama, and let's hope for more tomorrow. Though perhaps not *so* close... ! Pictures credit: Sander van der Borch/Bullitt GC32 Racing Tour

In the end it was not to be for Alinghi, who were pipped to the post in the D35 Championship by Team Tilt. Having been close adversaries all season, Alinghi would like to send their congratulations to Tilt for a fantastic regatta and a fantastic season. The team also want to express their admiration for all of the teams that did battle on the Lake to make this the most memorable D35 Championship yet. Having gone into Day 2 just two points ahead of Tilt - and with the victor‎ of the two taking the title - Alinghi's advantage was slender. Ultimately it could not be protected, with the two-point lead becoming a six-point deficit. Tilt took the Championship, with Alinghi second. It was a brilliant competition and - watch out Tilt - Alinghi will be gunning for the title next year!

Racing has ‎just finished on Day 1 of the Grand Prix SNG, the last and decisive regatta of the 2015 Championship. Heading into the competition, it would be all about Alinghi and Team Tilt, the two Swiss rivals who have been battling it out at the top of the leaderboard all season. With Tilt holding the lead, albeit a slender one, this regatta is a straight shootout. Whichever of the two teams finishes ahead of the other will takes the title. Which has made for an exhilarating Day 1 and, after today's racing, will make for a nerve-shredding finale! As befits a championship that is coming down to the wire, Friday's racing was extremely close. Wind conditions were good - between 10 and 15 knots - and the first sprint got off on time. Seven boats started on port, including both title contenders. It was an auspicious start for Ernesto Bertarelli's team, who, having gone past Tilt before the first mark perfectly timed their jibe on the last run to take first place from Ladycat, with Tilt down in 7th. Race 2 was equally good from Alinghi's persective, with the team making it two from two, although this time Tilt were right on their heels in second place. It wasn't to be three from three, however, with 7en taking the plaudits and with Tilt ahead of Alinghi. Race 4 made the overall picture even closer - Tilt took it, with Alinghi in 4th, having had a coming-to with Mobimo that saw the former break their starboard hiking ladder (fixed soon after) and incurring a penalty. Happily, Race 5 saw a return to winning ways. Having rounded the mark first, Alinghi maintained their lead to take three wins for the day. But then, fitting the script of intense competition, Tilt took the last race of the day just ahead of Bertarelli's team! It was truly a duel… Things could still not be closer - Alinghi's lead over Tilt is but two points! It promises to be hugely exciting tomorrow, so stay tuned to our twitter feed for live updates. ALLEZ ALINGHI!

With conditions as challenging as they have been for some time, huge credit must go to Realteam for their victory in the Grand Prix Alinghi, which was organised with typical brilliance by the Yacht Club de Crans. Despite having won the first race of the day – and this even having overcome a poor start on port – Alinghi had to settle for second overall, which was  a great result and testament to their consistency. Second in this event moves Alinghi even closer to Championship leaders TeamTilt, with now just a single point separating the teams. It could not be tighter heading into the final weekend of racing in the D35 Championnat. As this weekend’s racing has proved, it can be anybody’s…