Alinghi Red Bull fails to get off to a good start in the America's Cup 2024 qualifiers. The Swiss team is clearly beaten by the French Orient Express Racing Team off Barcelona.
For Alinghi Red Bull, the defeat is tantamount to a major disappointment. Just a week ago, Swiss skipper Arnaud Psarofaghis and his seven colleagues had beaten the French crew in the pre-regatta. This time, the Swiss yacht "BoatOne" trailed the competition from the start. In light winds, the French team pulled away at the start and never really came under pressure again. Alinghi finished 24 seconds behind.
This defeat is a bitter setback for Alinghi Red Bull in its efforts to at least reach the semi-finals of the preliminary round. Orient Express Racing was rated as the weakest team in the run-up to the event. Of the five challengers to defending champion Team New Zealand for the 37th America's Cup, only four will reach the semi-finals.
In the two round robins of the Louis Vuitton Cup, everyone sails twice against everyone else. Alinghi Red Bull will continue on Friday with a duel against the US syndicate American Magic.
