With just a month left till the next Louis Vuitton Cup we thought it would appropriate to report on the status of the America's Cup teams with a small tour of Port America's Cup.Despite sailing inside the basin on a Saturday morning, things were not calm or relaxed as one would have expected. Time is running out for the teams and weekend breaks are about to become a luxury and all of them have adopted a six-day, if not seven-day, working week. If not on a training session off the Malvarosa beach, yachts are going through intensive work and fine tuning.It was a great opportunity to see all the boats in front of the team bases with the exception of China Team and Emirates Team New Zealand. As our readers know, the former is finalizing painting CHN-79 while the latter still have their two boats inside the sheds, although the recent assembly of both travelifts could be a sign that the challenger from New Zealand is about to resume training and testing in Valencia.Luna Rossa ChallengeThe Luna Rossa base. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingThe two Luna Rossa boats, ITA-86 (left) and ITA-74. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingEmirates Team New ZealandThe Emirates Team New Zealand base. The team's two boats NZL-82 and NZL-84 are behind closed doors inside the shed. It shouldn't be long before they make their public appearance as the Kiwi challenger have recently assembled both travelifts. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingAREVA ChallengeWithout any doubt, this is the most important and pleasant change in Port America's Cup. Not only has the French America's Cup challenger permanently moved into its new base in Valencia, it now counts with the financial backing of a strong multinational group.The AREVA Challenge base with FRA-60 in front of it. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingFRA-60, the boat of AREVA Challenge. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingFRA-60, the boat of AREVA Challenge. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingVictory ChallengeThe Victory Challenge base. The team were preparing their boat SWE-73 for the day's training session. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingThe Victory Challenge base. The team were preparing their boat SWE-73 for the day's training session. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingVictory Challenge aboard their boat SWE-73 being towed out of the canal. Weekend breaks in the training program will certainly be less frequent from now on. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingBMW Oracle RacingThe BMW Oracle base. The Challenger of Record of the 32nd America's Cup took the day off but Sunday will be just another training and testing day. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing+39 ChallengeThe +39 Challenge base. Valencia, 8 ...
Direct Link Comments
Link To Original Article
Meanwhile in the world's sailing capital... @ Valencia Sailing
