AREVA Challenge already on water

It was a very encouraging sight what we witnessed on Friday noon in Port America's Cup. A mere 48 hours had passed since the re-born AREVA Challenge arrived in Valencia from their temporary base in Gandia and the team were already out for their first sail. With just a month left till the next Louis Vuitton Acts, the French America's Cup challenger can't waste any moment now that it has the support of such a strong energy group.

The team arrived in Valencia on Wednesday, kept the boat in the base on Thursday and is already out today. Now that the French are back testing and sailing the only teams left to sail their boat in Valencia this year are Emirates Team New Zealand and China Team.

The newly arrived AREVA Challenge boat in front of the team's base on Thursday. Valencia, 6 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The AREVA Challenge boat being towed out of Port America's Cup for the first sail since the team's arrival. Valencia, 7 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The AREVA Challenge boat being towed out of Port America's Cup for the first sail since the team's arrival. Valencia, 7 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing