News

15.10.2005

ALINGHI GETS READY FOR NEW BASE OPENING TONIGHT

VIP areas designed by Flahault Design & Associés
(Photo credit: Ivo Rovira/Alinghi)

Alinghi will open the doors of its new home on Saturday 15 October with a private party attended by Ernesto Bertarelli, Syndicate Head. On Sunday, the base will hold an open day for Valencia from 12-1900. 10 months of design and labour and 7 million Euros have gone into the development of Alinghi’s new home in the Dársena Interior of Valencia. The place has been designed with the concept of merging the team with the technology required to win the 32nd America’s Cup, while also sharing the passion and drive for excellence that motivates Alinghi, with the public.

(Photo credit: Ivo Rovira/Alinghi)

Grant Simmer, co-general manager and head of design gives his insight into the operational side of the base: “Our new base continues the development we started in Auckland, which is to build a dedicated building so we can provide all the functions of an America’s Cup under one roof. This base will be an extension of our homes for the next two years where we will spend a tremendous amount of our time and we can welcome our family, friends and supporters.”

Alinghi base facts and figures:

• Architects: Áreas Ingeniería y Arquitectura, S.L.
• Principal architect: José María Tomás Llavador.
• VIP areas designed by Flahault Design & Associés
• Number of floors: 3 floors and a terrace.
• Total usable surface of base: 6,891m² (interior & exterior) + 2,484 m² of forecourt
• 300,000 watts of electricity power, with an energy saving program, enough to light up two medium size football stadiums.
• Total time frame of the construction: 10 months, with the participation of the UTE Bases y Puertos in the first phase and Nüssli in the final phase.
• Gym surface: 259 m².
• Sail loft surface: 606 m².
• Boat shed dimensions (x2) 12.15 m height; 284 m² (10.15 m width x 27.98 m length) and 365 m² (10.15 m width x 36.5 m length).
• Number of travel lifts: 2.
• Measurements of the Alinghi base in Auckland: 4,160 m².

For the team’s guests:

• Hospitality area: 564 m², including Alinghi Club lounge, restaurant and terrace.
• Terraces and balconies: top floor terrace: 761 m².

For the public:

• Alinghi Interactive: 172 m² (on the ground floor) The ground floor of the Alinghi base is permanently open to the public. There is an Alinghi 'Research Lab' where the mysteries of yacht design and research are revealed, four Alinghi TV columns will unveil how Alinghi won the 31st America’s Cup in Auckland plus insider documentaries. An audio visual display will allow you to experience what it is like to race on board an America’s Cup Class Yacht.
• Alinghi Shop: 152 m² (on the ground floor)
• Alinghi Simulator, a replica of SUI64, is a true America’s Cup Class racing experience. You can be a tactician, a mainsail trimmer, a genoa trimmer, a grinder or a helmsman. The simulator is 26m LOA and has a beam of 3.9m, it heels to 30º, tacks within 45º and can carry up to 11 crew. A screen gives you the target boat speed, true wind direction and wind speed to get a real feeling of what the Alinghi sailing team does on board.