America’s Cup spy: Mr. INEOS’s megayacht, fans’ lives, Alinghi’s superbase

If you want to know all about the America’s Cup in Barcelona and what’s happening at sea, don’t miss our Trial of the Cup and all the news in our “The Cup Newspaper” section.
But if you want to know what goes on behind the scenes of the America’s Cup circus, in the hidden corners of the bases, envies and friendships among sailors, good deeds and snubs, gossip, here you are in the right place.

America’s Cup Spy

Our Barcelona correspondent Ida Castiglioni tells you everything no one else is telling you.
Here is “Spy America’s Cup,” follow it every day!

• Spy America’s Cup, the first installment (a 100-foot Alinghi)
• Spy America’s Cup, the second installment (adieu fromage!).
• Spy America’s Cup, the third installment (Soldini in the Cup?).

Tycoon Ratcliffe’s 80-meter (and 150 million) “INEOS”

This week Hampshire II, one of the motor-powered superyachts owned by Jim Ratcliffe, founder of Ineos and – reportedly – England’s richest man, returned to port here this week .
His-and always blue-is also the legendary Sherpa (74 m icebreaking superyacht used for Arctic and Antarctic expeditions).
Hampshire II, is moored along the pier alongside the base of Ineos.
78.5 m long x 12.7 m wide and with a draft of 3.7 m, she was built in the Netherlands at the renowned Royal Vant Lent Shipyard and delivered to the owner in 2012.

The hull design is by De Voogt Naval Architects while the interior design is by the British RWD (Redman Whitely Dixon).
The hull is steel while the superstructures are aluminum.
It can take in 205,000 L of fuel and 60,000 L of fresh water. The yacht cost $150 million and the annual management fee is $15 million; she can accommodate 14 guests in 7 suites (apparently one mega-cabin of these is reserved for nannies and children), with 23 crew in 11 cabins.
Hampshire II can reach a maximum speed of 16 knots while the cruising speed is 12 knots.
On board is a Beach Club, which can be converted into a helicopter landing site while the deck can become a playground for ball games.
Gym and spa are by default.

Alinghi’s superbase

The base with the most luxurious hospitality area and the largest terrace on the harbor is Alinghi’s, where guests of Bertarelli and sponsors, as well as some team members can have breakfast or lunch, both inside and out.
Team and crew have access to a canteen that prepares healthy, athlete-friendly meals according to a set menu that changes from day to day.
The Swiss (having no sea) are the team that has been here in Barcelona the longest.

They started training in 2022 and had placed themselves in a decidedly modest base located next to the Americans’; but then Bertarelli managed to get this one, which in addition to the sheds, has a side on different levels.
Before the hospitality area, there is a Fans Zone where one can find out about the materials from which Alinghi’s hull and sails are made, there are 2 simulators on which one can engage, and all the team’s clothing (which, however, can only be bought elsewhere) is on display (with its price).

The perfect “stadium” for following the regattas

The New Zealand Corner, thanks a huge marquee, is a great place to watch the races, in inclement sun but especially if it rains.
Carved out of a space next to the Kiwi base, it is at the end of the dock, aft of the mooring of Imagine (Matteo de Nora’s sailing superyacht). It is open to all at race times but is mainly animated by team families and New Zealanders away. Two huge screens, two powerful fans, and on the ground a large green, soft, synthetic lawn.
On the left (as you enter) Te Rehutai , the New Zealand hull that successfully defended the Cup in Auckland in 2021.
Perhaps it is good not to show up all dressed in Luna Rossa logos because the Kiwi cheer is genuine.

On the hunt for the best places

The big crowd of America’s Cup fans – many Italians – is at Plaza del Mar, on the tip of Barceloneta where, in a vast paved clearing, a giant screen is positioned in full sunlight.
In front of the screen, a free space where the public sits on the ground while on the right chairs and tables with some umbrellas, where fans can stay for hours without being obliged to consume something, as happens at a bar.

Nearby there are some ice water dispensers for water bottles (frequent here in Barcelona) and a number of kiosks offering tapas and various hot dishes.
Also 100 meters away is a small supermarket with cold drinks, ice cream of all kinds, and prepared foods.
The place is frequented by so many people that fans-Elfo among the first-to watch the races (which start at two o’clock) take the best seats as early as eleven o’clock.
A second giant screen is located behind the Playa de Bogatell, a very popular beach that lies, walking eastward, after the Port Olimpic (made for the 1992 Olympics).

Spy America’s Cup, all bets

Follow us for more tidbits, trivia and indiscretions from Barcelona in the next installment of Spy America’s Cup.

• Spy America’s Cup, the first installment (a 100-foot Alinghi)
• Spy America’s Cup, the second installment (adieu fromage!).
• Spy America’s Cup, the third installment (Soldini in the Cup?).