USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
by Jane Eagleson
BMW ORACLE Racing, with its trimaran and towering wing sail, made its debut on Spanish waters Tuesday afternoon. It's the first time the American team has sailed its America's Cup boat at the venue of the 33rd Match.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
When the boat took to the waters off the Port of Valencia, it was sporting USA emblazoned on its stern, the name designated for the boat by the Golden Gate Yacht Club when it challenged for the 33rd America's Cup.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
Previously, the trimaran had been called the BOR 90. But now, in Spanish waters, this is the name the boat will carry into battle for the America's Cup next month.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
Conditions were ideal for a first test sail with four to eight knots of wind and just a small chop on the otherwise flat water.
"Everyone was very excited to get out on the water," team CEO Russell Coutts (NZL) confirmed after a successful day of tests.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
"It's been quite a process to get here, get set up and be ready to sail. But that's the point we're at now and it's a big milestone for the team."
Rita Barbera, Francisco Camps and Russell Coutts with the Valencia flag. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
When the team returned to its boatyard in the Port, the President of the Generaltitat Valenciana, Francisco Camps, and the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barbera, were on hand to officially welcome BMW ORACLE Racing to Valencia ahead of the America's Cup Match and to see the trimaran and wing sail up close for the first time.
BMW ORACLE Racing's CEO, Russell Coutts. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
Coutts, speaking with the dignitaries, announced that as of its Spanish launch, the boat is now named USA and he confirmed the team is very happy to be in its second 'home' of Valencia. BMW ORACLE Racing has had a base in the Spanish city since 2004.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
Behind him, USA with its wing sail was sitting on a mooring. The wing carried an American flag and the sail number USA 17, which team founder Larry Ellison (USA) has used on many of his successful sailing campaigns, including five Maxi World championship wins with his Sayonara race yacht.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
Following Tuesday's initial test sail, the sailing crew will step up its testing programme this week as the team prepares for the 33rd America's Cup Match, scheduled to begin on February 8.
USA sailing off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
BMW ORACLE Racing
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