Alinghi's return to the America's Cup appears to be gathering some steam, with former Team New Zealand tactician Brad Butterworth tipped as the Swiss syndicate's next skipper. The Hall of Fame recipient has reportedly maintained a relationship with Bertarelli since Alinghi's America's Cup loss to Oracle in the 2010 Deed of Gift challenge. Butterworth's experience is seen as a crucial factor in what could be a young Alinghi team. According to Italian media, Alinghi are also negotiating the purchase of Team NZ's first generation AC75. Alinghi's return could reignite another rivalry with Challenger of Record Ineos Britannia, who worked with Hamilton's Mercedes team ahead of their America's Cup challenge in Auckland earlier this year.

Source: New Zealand Herald December 14, 2021 10:55 UTC