Jordi Calafat: "Defend? What we have to do is win!"
The Louis Vuitton Cup competition obviously concentrates its full attention on the challengers and temporarily forgets about the Defender. Alinghi is a redundant guest in a competition that is underway precisely to find the team who will face them in the America’s Cup Match.
Until the 23rd June Alinghi is condemned to “play” on their own and away from the others, and the Swiss team is taking advantage of their ‘punishment’ to train hard and finalise the details for defending the greatly coveted 100 Guinea trophy.
“Defend? What we have to do is win!” Jordi Calafat, Strategist in the Swiss team is clear about their objectives after the tough preparation of the last three years. As well as this 470 Barcelona ’92 Olympic gold medallist, we also had the chance to talk to Navigator Juan Vila, and designer Manolo Ruíz-Elvira- the three Spaniards on the Swiss team.
What is the team’s work like during the Louis Vuitton Cup?
Jordi Calafat: “In the last few weeks the rhythm has dropped a little as far as physical preparation is concerned. We are normally doing between an hour and an hour and a half of gym and are then on the water between two and five hours. Until about four months ago we were focusing on boat speed tests and now more on manoeuvres, pre-starts and in last minute preparation details. We have very close (but healthy) competition in-house because it has still not been decided who will be sailing.”
What is your opinion of the Louis Vuitton Cup finalists?
Jordi Calafat: “I personally think the kiwis have a faster boat in certain situations, but Luna Rossa have a lot of confidence and that goes in their favour. The Italians have had some very good pre-starts in the Semi Finals, but it was always against the same rival and now could be different. The helmsmen of both teams are world experts when it comes to pre-starts.”
Juan Vila: “I think both teams are at a very similar level. Luna Rossa is very strong in pre-starts, it seems that their helmsman uses a very scientific approach to the start, like a game of chess, and it doesn’t usually fail. I think ETNZ are a very united team with a lot of experience working together. The kiwis are more compact as a team compared to the Italians who have a lot of individual talent on board.”
What have you got from being with the Alinghi team?
Jordi Calafat: “For me it has been an investment one hundred per cent. As a sailor, being on this team is the best thing that can happen to you especially when it is your first America’s Cup. The opportunity to work with people that have been in seven Cups and have won three of them is incredible, and I wouldn’t change it for anything. I would love to continue with the America’s Cup and if it continues in Valencia, it would be even better still - especially for the family.”
Juan Vila: “I am lucky to have been with a team like Alinghi to develop my technical knowledge. This team allows you to fully develop your work whatever your position since you have access to the resources you need and the full support of the team.”
What do you consider is Alinghi’s level?
Juan Vila: “The whole team has a very high level and I am comfortable with any crew combination. Each helmsman has an individual style and their own qualities, but the team philosophy means the results of different crew combinations are very similar. In the end they will choose who is fittest. We are very happy with the speed of SUI 100, but also with the performance of SUI 91. The decision will be taken a bit later on and it will be a joint one, taking into the account the information both from the weather people and the whole team.”
Manolo Ruíz-Elvira: “I think we are happy and confident with both boats. I think we have done our homework well on both but we don’t either what position we are going to be in compared to the others. If you ask which boat we will use, it might be SUI 91… or SUI 100. We want to keep our options open for both. At least they are as fast as the rival’s boat As a designer, I will start suffering when the America’s Cup starts because you are never fully convinced - a rival might always come out faster at some point and make you realize that you have forgotten something.”
What do you think of the present format of the America’s Cup?
Jordi Calafat: “I think 3.3 mile legs are just right, but especially comparing to previous editions, and it was a good move to incorporate the leeward gate. It has opened up the options for the boats that are behind. I would bet that at some point in the future they will make a move towards faster boats.”
Manolo Ruíz-Elvira: “I don’t agree that the rule must evolve towards faster boats, maybe in downwind conditions because it’s more spectacular, but upwind they are already sailing at a good level. Besides, in faster boats lose in maneuvers and reduces the importance of the tacking battles. The rule is designed to see boats with more similar characteristics and in this respect it is showing that it is working really well. For the next evolution I think we still have a margin for maneuvers that might reduce displacement.”
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