Alinghi Loses Her Rudder

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Alinghi Loses Her Rudder

SETE, 17 July 2001

Alinghi, the training boat of the Swiss Challenge for the America’s Cup 2003, lost her rudder yesterday (Tuesday) as she was sailing off Sète, in the Mediterranean. “ We were sailing normally, when I suddenly heard a loud noise”, said helmsman Jochen Schuemann. I immediately looked up the mast. But in fact, the sound came from down under: it was the rudder!”

The boat started immediately to take on water. The crewmembers activated the pumps, and got assistance from the SNSM (Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer).

Alinghi was then towed to the shore. She is now on her cradle, and the repairing work has already started. “We got quite scared at first, said Schuemann. But in reality, there was no serious problem. Thanks to the cohesion of the crew and the rapidity of action, we took Alinghi safely home. We will be sailing again before the end of the week”, concluded Schuemann.

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Alinghi, Swiss Challenge for the America’s Cup 2003, was born out of passion and determination. The strong will to build a team capable of winning the America’s Cup in 2003. And - for the first time in the history of this competition - to bring the Auld Mug to Europe. Team Alinghi is flying the Swiss flag, and carrying the colours of the Société Nautique de Genève.
Visit our Website www.alinghi.com

CONTACT
Bernard Schopfer
Press Officer
Alinghi, Swiss Challenge for the America’s Cup 2003
T :+41-22-908 27 82
F: +41-22-908 27 88
M: +41-79- 332 11 76
media@alinghi.com

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