Click photo to enlarge
Alinghi's owner Ernesto Bertarelli, right, waves from the
helm of the Alinghi 5 boat as its towed into Valencia's
port. (AP Photo/Daniel Ochoa de Olza)
Alinghi landed the first shot on the water in the
America's Cup against BMW Oracle last night despite the
acrimonious best-of-three series being delayed.
The defending champion Swiss team sailed circles around BMW
Oracle during a four-hour wait off the Valencia coast before
the first race was postponed till Wednesday due to unsteady
wind.
Alinghi president Ernesto Bertarelli said they did "a couple
of tours" around the American challenger to send a message
and to get a look at its three-hull boat.
"We want to have a race. All these hours and days that go by
make it more difficult to wait," said Bertarelli, a biotech
billionaire who is also Alinghi's helmsman. "We wanted to
sail a little bit to show them that that's what we like to
do."
Bertarelli didn't spot BMW Oracle president Larry Ellison on
board his boat; the navigator is only expected to assume his
role from the second race.
"He doesn't seem to be willing to be on his boat, which is
unfortunate," Bertarelli said. "Winning the America's Cup for
a sailor means being on board."
The 33rd edition of the sailing classic has been disrupted by
a court fight lasting 2½ years.
Wind conditions are expected to pick up today. But choppier
waters are also likely, meaning there is a good chance that
another postponement is imminent.
