The case for the defence

In the first of our new column from America's Cup defenders Alinghi, we sit in on a small inhouse forum discussing the sujet du jour, modern boatbuilding techniques and particularly the limitations on large-scale composite construction in a real as opposed to a laboratory environment. Dirk Kramers is chief engineer at Alinghi and has been involved in the Cup since 1977. Kurt Jordan is a mechanical engineer and naval architect and came to the Cup in 1992 from the transport industry. He specialises in composite construction and is responsible for the computer simulation of all things structural in the Swiss team. Michel Marie has six Cup builds and a smattering of Whitbreads behind him and is shore co-ordinator for Alinghi. He oversees the building and modification of the Alinghi yachts. Bertrand Cardis is the composites maestro behind the successful Décision SA boatyard where Alinghi's yachts are built.

To read the remainder of this and many other articles, please purchase your copy of the February 2007 edition of Seahorse International Sailing available at selected newsstands or by calling: + 44 (0) 1590 671899 or by email at: info@seahorse.co.uk

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