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"Alinghi's goal over the coming years is to create two first class teams for the Americas' Cup 2007. This covers all members of the team," explains Russell COUTTS. "This is why I asked Jochen to take the helm of Alinghi against Oracle BMW Racing."

Jochen SCHUEMANN has been Coutts sparring partner since the start of the Alinghi campaign, in the year 2000. A formidable match-race helmsman, he has helped Russell to raise his game and carry off the Americas' Cup competing against Team New Zealand. Now he is taking command. Coutts will be in San Francisco by the end of the event, supporting his team from a follow boat.

The Moët Cup is divided into two events: a professional regatta and an owners/founders match. This means that Ernesto BERTARELLI and Larry ELLISON will compete with each other before handing over the helm to Jochen SCHUEMANN and Gavin BRADY.

The two teams will take this opportunity to test new crew and to present their program for the coming years. Both Alinghi and Oracle BMW Racing have indicated that they intend to modernise the Americas' Cup to allow the general public to get closer to the event. Many regattas are scheduled each year and the Moët Cup is being used to kick off the series.

Quotes:
Jochen SCHUEMANN, helmsman, Alinghi Team: "After helming Alinghi in training against Russell for more than two years, I am now happy and proud to take the helm for a real race. We have been training every day since the beginning of the week. The Alinghi Team still has to make more progress but our crew will be ready to race against Oracle BMW Racing on 15 September."

Russell COUTTS, Director, Alinghi Team: "The contribution of Jochen SCHUEMANN to our victory in the Americas' Cup was critical. Everyone knows how great a sailor he is, having won four Olympic medals."