The team bases in Port America's Cup three weeks before Christmas

Christmas in Valencia has arrived early, not only in the city's shops and malls, but in Port America's Cup as well. As far as we know, sailing activity in Valencia has stopped and all teams are working on the design or construction of their new boats. In addition, in exactly three weeks, the opening that allowed boats to go in and out of Port America's Cup will be closed in order to allow the completion of the new canal, a process that will leave the interior basin of the harbor completely isolated from sea for about three weeks.

Taking advantage of the fact that this was probably the last weekend we could navigate inside the harbor, we decided to make the rounds and report before the last official event, the inauguration of the Desafío Español base on the 12th of December. After that, few, if any, changes are expected till February.

One will probably notice that there are photos of only eleven of the twelve team bases, with China Team being absent. This is not due to any preference we might have but to the fact that the space allocated to the Chinese syndicate is still being occupied by local fishermen. Given the construction schedule, we wonder whether the Chinese will participate in the next Louis Vuitton Act still in some temporary tents.

BMW Oracle Racing
The immense BMW Oracle base. External construction is over and crews are currently finishing the interior. Most probably, the American team will get into their new offices in the beginning of 2006.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Luna Rossa Challenge
The Luna Rossa base, expected to be ready in a a couple of months. In a week from now, James Spithill, skipper of the Italian syndicate, will participate in the Corum Melges 24 World Championship 2005 in Florida. Stay tuned for coverage and photos of the Australian sailing star, right here.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Team Shosholoza
The base of Team Shosholoza, "The Soul of Sailing". The South African syndicate plans to leave Valencia in a couple of weeks and return in late February or early March, in order to resume training for the next Louis Vuitton Acts.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

+39 Challenge
The base of +39. The Italian challenger have decided to take their Christmas holidays a few days in advance. No training with ITA59 takes place since a couple of weeks in order to make the necessary repairs and maintenance while construction crews are putting the final touches in the base's interior.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Alinghi
The enormous Alinghi base. The America's Cup Defender is busy designing the new boats although no official announcement of construction has been made.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team
The Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team base. As one can easily see from the picture, the Italian syndicate's base is at an advanced stage of construction with the external parts a few weeks till completion. The team have wrapped their two boats, most probably concentrating on the construction of the new boat.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

United Internet Germany Team
The United Internet Germany Team boat, in the space of the syndicate's permanent base. Construction hasn't started yet and unless it starts soon, it will be difficult for the Germans to have their base ready by May.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español 2007
The two buildings of the Desafío Español 2007 base. The Spanish challenger will officially inaugurate their base on December 12, drawing the curtain for 2005. Valencia Sailing will obviously be there, in what seems to be the last event till February, here in the world's sailing capital.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The administration building of Desafío Español 2007.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The boat shed of Desafío Español 2007. The Spanish team's boats, ESP65 and ESP67 are inside, being modified in order to be adapted to the rigging configuration of the new boat under construction.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Victory Challenge
The Victory Challenge base. It is a pleasant surprise to see the steel structure in place, after many months of inactivity. According to an article that appeared yesterday in Valencia's main newspaper, the Swedish syndicate is going through very difficult times and unless it secures a major sponsor soon, it might become the first challenger to quit the race. We all hope these are just press speculations.Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

K-Challenge
The K-Challenge base. Although it was one of the first bases to reach a very advanced stage, construction has abated since a few months. As far as we know, the French team's two boats are still in Gandia.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team New Zealand
The Emirates Team New Zealand base. Its external part is almost finished but there is very little activity inside. The team's boat, NZL82, is wrapped just outside the base while NZL86 is being built in New Zealand. Just like most teams, return is expected next spring.
Photo taken by Valencia Sailing