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)

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The boat a billionaire built

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.