Defending the cup
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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 - 13:47Swiss 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.
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