Following the decision to hold the next America's Cup in Valencia, Spain, the Alinghi staff- the Swiss consortium that managed to bring the prestigious Cup back to Europe for the first time in 152 years - is already busy preparing for the 2007 challenge.

Skipper and Executive Director of Alinghi, Russell Coutts, and Marketing Manager, Nick Masson, took the time to visit Maserati in Modena during their stay in Italy. Greeted in the new showroom by Maserati CEO, Antonello Perricone, the pair were able to admire the entire range of the Trident vehicles - the Spyder, Coupé and Quattroporte - and lost themselves in the endless personalisation options.

They were then taken on a tour of the factory where they stopped by the production line and took the wheel of a Spyder and a Coupé to move on to the Panini Museum to view its collection of classic Maserati cars.

Research into new hi-tech solutions and exclusive new materials, and the desire for stirring emotions, are ideals common to both Maserati and Alinghi.