Defending the cup
-
Work on the new catamaran in a covered tent in Villeneuve, canton Vaud, remained closed to the public. (Alinghi) -
The tent is removed to reveal the new catamaran, which must be readied for a complicated move onto the water. (Keystone/Dominic Favre) -
People peer through a fence to get the first look at the new craft. (Stefano Gattini/Alinghi) -
Last-minute prep work on the 37m-long boat before a helicopter whisks it away. (Keystone/Laurent Gillieron) Keystone -
The largest flying helicopter in the world today, a Russian Mil Mi-26, can lift 20,000kg, more than enough for the boat. (Stefano Gattini/Alinghi) -
A surreal sight: An Mi-26 helicopter ferries the catamaran from one side of Lake Geneva to the other. (Bruno Cocozza/Alinghi) -
Crowds gather to watch the transport. (Bruno Cocozza/Alinghi) -
Happy landing on Lake Geneva. (Stefano Gattini/Alinghi) -
The mast of the Alinghi 5 is 50m high. (Keystone/Jean-Christophe Bott) Keystone -
Beware of vertigo: Work on the tip of the mast. (Alinghi) -
Away they go... (Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi) -
Alinghi 5 cuts an impressive, if not other worldly, figure floating on Lake Geneva. (Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi) -
Trying to keep up with the high-tech craft. (Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi)
The boat a billionaire built
This content was published on July 23, 2009 - 13:47
Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli unveiled an impressive catamaran dubbed the Alinghi 5 that will defend the 33rd America's Cup, scheduled to be held in February. The team sails under the colours of the Société Nautique de Genève.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.