Interview with Aling team skipper Brad Butterworth

Interview with team skipper Brad Butterworth

Alinghi team skipper, Brad Butterworth, gives his comments on Emirates Team New Zealand's 5-0 win over Luna Rossa Challenge in the Louis Vuitton Cup. Alinghi, the Defender, will meet Emirates Team New Zealand, the Challenger, in the start box on the 23 June to fight to retain the America's Cup.

What is your reaction to ETNZ winning the Final of the Louis Vuitton?

"I think it's a great result for Emirates Team New Zealand because they've sailed well throughout the whole regatta. I think for years they've been the form team coming through the challenger regattas so it's really not a big surprise."

5-0 in the LVC Finals is unprecedented. Did you expect to see such a decisive win by ETNZ over Luna Rossa Challenge?

"I think they are just sailing very well. They have had the benefit of the Louis Vuitton series to get their game bigger and better so they are a force to be reckoned with. Obviously they are on top of their game especially winning 5-0, it's is a fantastic achievement so good on them."

Time is getting short, now you know your opponent... How do you analyse the victory of Emirates Team New Zealand?

"Emirates Team New Zealand just sailed well all the way through. They won the round robins; they picked Spain, probably the weakest team out of the four, and lost a couple of races but Spain had a very good boat and did a great job. They wound up sailing Luna Rossa and at this stage of the game little deficiencies in the programme are exposed in a big way. I think Luna Rossa has a problem in the lighter air and Emirates Team New Zealand just consolidated on that and sailed away."

PLEASE NOTE THAT ALINGHI WILL RELEASE THE FULL INTERVIEW THURSDAY MORNING, WHICH INCLUDES NEWS ON HOW ALINGHI IS PREPARING AND PROVIDES INSIGHT ON THE TEAM

ENDS

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