Alinghi boss Ernesto Bertarelli has admitted he will have a close eye on the looming America’s Cup match as speculation mounts he will bring his team back into yachting’s premier event. Alinghi won the America’s Cup from Team New Zealand in 2003 and defended it at Valencia 2007 before losing the Auld Mug to Larry Ellison’s Oracle outfit in a bitter Deed of Gift challenge in 2010. John Selkirk/Stuff Ernesto Bertarelli, centre, had Kiwi yachting stars like Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth to thank for his 2003 America's Cup success in Auckland. Bertarelli wouldn’t comment on a recent Italian report that Alinghi would be challenger of record for the next Cup if Italy’s Luna Rossa could wrestle the Auld Mug away from the Kiwis. Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton has expressed concerns that if he can’t secure the financial future of his current team, key talent will be vulnerable to similar raids.

Source: Stuff February 15, 2021 01:41 UTC