America's Cup: Baird joins Alinghi

American Ed Baird has linked up with Swiss syndicate Alinghi for the next America's Cup as a helmsman alongside Peter Holmberg and Jochen Schuemann.

A prominent figure in world matchracing, Baird was the B-boat helmsman. He has also competed in two Whitbread round-the-world races and is an eight-times world champion, most notably in the Laser and J24 classes.

Alinghi start their training programme in Valencia in March.