Alinghi takes to the waters of Lake Geneva
Lausanne – The Lake Geneva region provides the setting for an exceptional display: the catamaran, Alinghi 5, is going through its paces on the Lake until Saturday.
Apart from the spectacular countryside around the shores of Lake Geneva, with the Lavaux vineyards, now a UNESCO World Heritage site, and their Alpine backcloth, the Lake Geneva region is also serving as a sort of laboratory, hosting the prestigious technological experiments of the new giant catamaran, Alinghi 5.
The boat was built at Villeneuve and Corsier (Canton of Vaud – Lake Geneva Region), enjoying the benefits of Swiss know-how in multihull matters and a rich local network of sailors, naval architects and scientists particularly from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL).
The shape of the lake, more than 70km long, the wind conditions and the longstanding sailing tradition account for this concentration of sail know-how and make Lake Geneva a test bed without equal.
The trials will continue until Saturday, culminating in a presentation of the crew and a parade between Lausanne and the defender’s club, as part of a public celebration on 1 August. The boat will then be prepared for transportation by helicopter to Genoa in Italy, where training will continue.
For further information about Alinghi and its news: www.alinghi.com
Copyright on the enclosed pictures (note: commercial interest is strictly forbidden) : OTV/L.Ryser Contact :
Cindy Queloz / Media Relations Manager
Office du Tourisme du Canton de Vaud
Lake Geneva Region Tourist Office
Avenue d’Ouchy 60 – Case postale 164
1000 Lausanne 6 – Suisse
Tél. +41 (0)21 613 26 21 – Fax +41 (0)21 613 26 10
queloz@lake-geneva-region.ch – www.lake-geneva-region.ch
