Tudor Team Alinghi Announces Women's and Youth Squads
Tudor Team Alinghi has selected 11 sailors to represent the Swiss challenger in the Women’s and Youth America’s Cups in Naples in 2027. The squads bring together four sailors from the 2024 Barcelona campaign and seven new selections.
Following the recent Preliminary Regatta in Naples, Tudor Team Alinghi welcomed its Women’s and Youth squads for their first training camp aboard the AC40. The week marked the start of preparations for next year's competitions, with sailors gaining experience on the foiling AC40 and beginning to develop their teamwork.
The five sailors selected for the Women’s America’s Cup are:
Jessica Berthoud (SUI), Milly Boyle (GBR), Laurane Mettraux (SUI)*, Marie Mazuay (SUI)**, Tine Rossel (SUI)
*Competed in the 2024 Women’s America’s Cup.
** Competed in the 2024 Women’s and Youth America’s Cups.
The six sailors selected for the Youth America’s Cup are:
Micha de Weck (SUI), Arnaud Grange (SUI)*, Joshua Richner (SUI)*, Nilo Schärer (SUI), Matthieu Sistek (SUI), Nick Zeltner (SUI)
*Competed in the 2024 Youth America’s Cup.
The returning sailors bring experience from the previous America’s Cup campaign, while the new selections will have the opportunity to develop through the team’s performance programme.
First steps on the AC40
Led by sailor and Women & Youth programme leader Nathalie Brugger, the squads recently completed their first training camp in Naples. Despite losing a day to thunderstorms, conditions allowed four productive days of sailing, with the sailors making steady progress as they became familiar with the boat.
“It was a really successful week,” says Brugger. “We had four days of proper sea breeze, with seven to twelve knots on flat water, perfect conditions for learning. By the end of the week, the sailors were driving together without any help from Jann Schüpbach and me, and the youth team even managed to sail the AC40 without a coach on board.”
The AC40 is a 40-foot, one-design foiling yacht crewed by four sailors. It will be used for both the Women’s and Youth America’s Cups, giving sailors the chance to build their skills on the same type of boat they will race in Naples.
For Joshua Richner, returning to the team carries particular meaning.
“So many people know the story. I only have to say ‘Alinghi’, and everyone thinks of the two-time America’s Cup winner. That motivates me and my generation enormously.”
Laurane Mettraux, who also represented Alinghi in Barcelona in 2024, is looking forward to the campaign ahead.
“There are a few things you want to achieve in life, and sailing with Alinghi is definitely one of them. I’m really looking forward to helping build a strong team, and it already feels great.”
Building towards Naples 2027
The Women’s and Youth programmes are part of Tudor Team Alinghi’s commitment to developing sailing talent and creating opportunities for the next generation to gain experience at America’s Cup level.
Training will continue over the coming months, with simulator sessions playing a key role in the sailors’ preparation. The team will also use upcoming training camps to develop crew combinations and determine onboard roles ahead of the competitions.
The next camp is planned for March 2027, when the sailors will resume preparations for the Women’s and Youth America’s Cups in Naples.
All Images © Tudor Team Alinghi/ Samo Vidic