Barnabé Delarze is a former rower who competed at both the Rio and Tokyo Olympics, he has also won the prestigious Oxford V Cambridge Boat Race before joining Alinghi Red Bull Racing as part of the Power Group.

His rowing career saw him finish seventh in Rio, fifth in Tokyo, collect a silver medal at the World Championship in 2018 and this year he was the winner of the overall World Cup in 2019. However, his career didn’t get off to the fantastic start you would expect. “I came dead last at the Swiss Championship in my first year of rowing and wasn't even allowed to compete the following year. That triggered my competitor's spirit and I decided to start training seriously!” Barnabé explained.

Barnabé was first introduced to sailing as a child on summer camps, but this will be his first role in a sailing team. He has joked that after 15 years of rowing he’s finally realized that: “rowing is probably the least efficient water sport out there and that I can now go five times the speed in a sailing boat.”

Barnabé is a novice to the sport but has been passionate about sailing for many years – especially Swiss competitors. “I remember watching Alinghi storm through the Cup in the 2000s,” he said. “Alinghi had a huge impact in Switzerland when they won the cup in 2003 and 2007.”

And it’s that sporting pride that makes Barnabé feel very honoured to be part of this team. “With Alinghi’s experience and the new Red Bull partnership, I am convinced that we will have an incredibly strong crew, an amazing boat and that everyone's sole focus on the team will be on winning. Being part of Alinghi Red Bull Racing is a massive accomplishment and a great honour. I am very excited!”

Away from the water Barnabé is interested in sports, the food and hospitality sector, politics, media and is currently studying an MBA at the University of Oxford, which he will graduate from this summer.