Meanwhile, in the world's sailing capital...

After a well-deserved holiday break, Port America's Cup is increasingly showing signs of life and preparatory activity. Teams are gradually coming back to Valencia and for some of them this means moving to their permanent base. Taking advantage of a beautiful and sunny Sunday morning, we cruised inside the harbor and snapped some interesting photos of the bases and the brand new canal. Judging from the construction stage and speed, one can correctly assume that most America's Cup teams will be able to move to their permanent bases before the start of the next Louis Vuitton Acts. Team China and United Internet Team Germany are the exception so far, as construction of their bases has not started yet.

Despite the apparent tranquility, construction crews were working inside the Foredeck club, as they have only 100 days left till the next Louis Vuitton Acts when everything must be ready in order for the public to enjoy one of the best venues for America's Cup racing.

The Luna Rossa base. External construction is almost over and the Italian challenger has started bringing their support boats. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The Emirates Team New Zealand base. Here again, external construction is almost over. The syndicate from New Zealand will be in full force in about two months from now, when the brand new boat NZL-84 arrives from Auckland. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

A closer look of the boat shed of the Emirates Team New Zealand base, with NZL-82 wrapped in front of it. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Another base whose external construction is nearing completion is that of K-Challenge. Nevertheless, the French team have not yet moved from their base in Gandia. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The BMW Oracle Racing base with tens of seagull spectators on the superyacht pier. According to the BMW Oracle blog, the team moved into the new base last week and we should expect the official inauguration sometime during spring. Construction crews are working round the clock to finish what promises to be a spectacular public area, or "interactive center" as the team call it. A part of it can be seen on the left hand corner of the building's ground floor. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The Victory Challenge base, whose construction is also rapidly advancing. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team base. Once again, external construction has advanced at a very fast pace. It is worth mentioning that the Italian team have unwrapped one of their two boats. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The +39 Challenge base. Without any doubt the Italian team is preparing their joint training with United Internet Team Germany next week. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

GER-72, the boat of United Internet Team Germany, in front of their future base. The German team is the only one to have been training in Valencia during the Christmas break and will be facing +39 next week for some interesting match races off the Malvarosa beach. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Canal and AC Park construction

The Foredeck club. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The canal, looking towards the sea, as seen from the Foredeck club. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

The canal and the Foredeck club, looking south, towards the inner basin of the port. It has now been dredged to a depth of betweeen 7 and 8 meters, allowing the passage of large ships and megayachts. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

A general view of the canal, as seen from its edge. The first 250 berths of the new marina will be built on the right. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

This will be the location of first 250 berths of the new marina. It will certainly be a priviliged place to dock one's boat. Photo taken by Valencia Sailing

Last picture for today, the beaches of Las Arenas and Malvarosa as seen from the edge of the breakwater. The large building in the center of the photo is Valencia's brand new luxurious 5-star hotel, "Las Arenas". Photo taken by Valencia Sailing