X40 training off Valencia. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
by Jane Eagleson
Today marks the 'one month to go' date before race one of the 33rd America's Cup Match.
With the BOR 90 now safely delivered to Valencia, the home of the 33rd Match, the shore team is working flat out to ensure that when the trimaran is handed over to the sailing crew, to move into 'race mode', the boat is match fit and ready to race.
The sailors are using that time to get match fit as well. Training sessions on the Extreme 40 catamarans are scheduled over the coming week. The objective is to hone their match racing and starting skills in multihulls before shifting their attention to the BOR 90.
In the meantime, skipper and helmsman James Spithill (AUS) met with the local media on Friday morning, to welcome them back to the team Base in the Dársena and to update them on the team's progress ahead of the Match.
James Spithill. Image copyright Gilles Martin-Raget/BMW ORACLE Racing.
"It's exciting for us to be back here in Valencia," he said. "I had a fantastic experience here in the last Cup. We've been saying for two years now that Valencia is the right place for this America's Cup so we're thrilled to be here and we can't wait to get racing in February. We have a lot of work to do over the next four weeks, but our team is highly motivated and focused on the challenge and we've been training really hard to get ready.
"The boats that both teams have built are like nothing you've ever seen before and over the coming days and weeks, as we get into our final training sessions, you'll be able to appreciate them for what they are - two of the most technologically advanced and fastest boats ever built. The Match is going to be fantastic."
The first race of the 33rd America's Cup Match is scheduled for February 8.
BMW ORACLE Racing
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