Bernerin wants to sail for Alinghi Red Bull: Her sunscreen makes talent Anja Von Allmen fast

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The fact that Alinghi will compete again in the America’s Cup with Red Bull Racing in 2024 is causing excitement in the Swiss sailing world. Especially since the boat crew, unlike in the past, actually needs a Swiss passport. The Swiss obligation also applies to the small America’s Cup classes “Youth” (men and women between 18 and 25 years old) and “Women” (women from 18 years old).

The selections for these subcategories are currently underway in Switzerland. Alinghi Red Bull invited 69 candidates from 91 applications to the selection events in Hilterfingen BE, Brunnen SZ and Geneva. It concerns six places in the youth and six in the women’s team. The aspirants are teeming with European and World Cup medalists, Olympians and top talent.

Von Allmen renounces a relationship to sail

One of them: Anja von Allmen (20) from Spiez BE. The born Berner was already European and world champion in the junior laser boat and is the great Swiss hope for the future. Her life revolves around sailing. Her studies in business administration are on the back burner, she has no relationship: “It could be, but it also takes energy. At the moment I’m not ready to invest it.”

Allmen’s big goal is Olympic gold. “Gaining experience in such a professional team as Alinghi Red Bull Racing is also a huge advantage for your own Olympic campaign,” she says.

So your foray into the America’s Cup environment is just training for Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 respectively? The resident of Bern immediately says: “I’m way too ambitious for that. I want to be part of the team and win this cup!”

The secret of sunscreen on Lake Garda

Due to her age, she is eligible for both the youth and ladies class. Von Allmen’s next goal is the final qualification in October in Barcelona, ​​​​where there are still 20 starting places.

Blick met the Bern native after the selection event at the Thunersee Sailing Club, where von Allmen himself practiced for years as a child. “In the beginning I was just the little one who was fast because of the light weight,” she says with a laugh. But even when technology becomes more and more important, it remains fast.

At one point she quickly pulls a mental trick. Von Allmen wears a sunscreen that she always buys on Lake Garda. «It has a specific smell. When I smell it, I automatically focus on the race.”

For the first time on Lake Thun in a flying boat

When it comes to selection, Von Allmen doesn’t sail alone. She flies over water for the first time in her life – Alinghi Red Bull tests the aspirants in spectacular boats with “foils” (wings), because in Barcelona the youth and women’s races fly at more than 80 km / h with AC40 boats unloaded. Von Allmen has previously refrained from foil training. Because she suspects the jury also wanted to see how quickly you can adapt to new events.

Teamwork on the boat is also new for the world champion. With all her successes and with her Olympic project, she is an individual athlete. Three men are at work on Lake Thun. Doing things together with the direct competition, she knows that very well.

At Swiss Sailing she trains together with the Tokyo-experienced Maud Jayet (27) for the qualification in Paris, although there is only one Swiss starting place. Therefore, Von Allmen’s Olympic focus is more on 2028. However, for 2024, she now has another very tempting race in her sights with the America’s Cup.

Source : Blick