![[Alinghi] Alinghi on learning the hard way](https://www.byteseu.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/m2543_crop169014_1000x1000_proportional_177955803391E2.jpg "[Alinghi] Alinghi on learning the hard way")
fter an encouraging opening day on Friday, the Swiss challenger struggled to maintain momentum across Saturday’s three fleet races, with penalties, a splashdown and a capsize proving costly in an ultra-competitive AC40 fleet.
Photo credit: Samo Vidic / Alinghi
The most significant moment came in Race 5 when the team capsized during a downwind gybe after an aggressive start left the crew with a boat-on-boat penalty and chasing from the back of the fleet. All four sailors were quickly confirmed safe, while the shore and support teams worked rapidly to return the AC40 to racing condition for the day’s final race.
“It’s been a tough day. We made some big changes overnight, went back out there today and struggled a lot. The boat wasn’t working quite as it should, so we spent all day trying to problem-solve and make it better. We obviously didn’t sail at our best either, so it’s been a tricky day.
“But we got a good look at how we operate under pressure as a team. Everybody was trying to problem-solve as best they could, and that’s probably the biggest positive to take from it. We learned a lot about ourselves today, and now we look forward to tomorrow.”
— Paul Goodison, Skipper and Starboard Helm
Photo credit: Samo Vidic / Tudor Team Alinghi
“We knew before coming here that we didn’t have many hours on the water as a team, and so we are still proud of how the team is working; everybody is working really hard, especially the shore team; they have been trying to get the most from the boat over these three days.”
— Pietro Sibello, Port Trim