After more than a year with hardly any sailing activity (except Alinghi’s and BMW Oracle’s catamaran training sessions), Valencia gets to see some America’s Cup yachts training on its waters.
All four teams that will participate in the 2nd edition of the Desafo Trophy were out on the water today, testing their yachts. Desafo carried out their tests on ESP-97 close to the Malvarosa beach while Team Origin, aboard ESP-88, went further out. On our way back from the water, Alinghi’s SUI-100 and Luna Rossa’s ITA-94 were docked in front of the bases, ready for the maiden sail.
I briefly followed Desafo for a couple of gybes and tacks. Although the crewlist has not been finalized, the most important absence was Paul Cayard’s. The American sailor is not in Valencia and as a result the yacht was helmed by Laureano Wizner, the helmsman of the victorious GP42 yacht. I obviously spotted the usual familiar faces from this year’s GP42 and TP52 circuits, such as Santi Lpez-Vzquez, John Cutler, Bruno Zirilli, Nacho Braquehais, Jorge Ondo, Carlo Castellano or Miguel Jaregui.
As it is expected this time of the year, conditions were pretty light but at least it wasn’t raining. There was a nice sunlight for the photos but don’t expect any breathtaking action shots.
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Desafo train with ESP-97 after more than a year. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
The Alinghi base with SUI-100 on the water, ready for the first sail after a long time. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
Luna Rossa’s base with ITA-94 ready to sail. Valencia, 4 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
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