Alinghi President Honored as Audi Sailor of Year

Ernesto Bertarelli was recently honored as Audi Sailor of the for “his successes in promoting the sport of sailing through his recent America’s Cup victory.”

Bianca Gropallo, widow of Paolo Venanzangeli, an Italian America's Cup journalist, presented the award.

According to Mr. Bertarelli: “I was born in Rome and started sailing in Civitavecchia with my father, a sailing fan, so I am particularly honored and very happy to receive this prize here in Italy for what we achieved during the 32nd America’s Cup with Alinghi and AC Management. We very much hope to return to the water soon. Thank you again for the award. I’m proud of it.”

This is his second, consecutive America’s Cup victory.

They noted that this past America’s Cup event was supposedly witnessed by six million visitors and 4 billion TV viewers. (Your blogster: Perhaps 50 total in the U.S., all crew spouses and girlfriends willing to take the time to find the broadcasts on obscure cable channels.) Afterwards, the America’s Cup Management organization distributed more than 60 million Euros of net surplus (cash) among the participating teams.