China Team's CHN-79 painted in front the team's future base

The first ever America's Cup challennger from China has now finished painting the hull of its boat, CHN-79, with the colors of the shiny beautiful dragon and transported it a couple of hundreds of meters from the temporary shed to the space in front of the future permanent base.

In addition to the hull, the deck has also be painted while the technical team has installed the systems corresponding to the winches and outfitting of the superstructures. One of the shore crew's many tasks today was to fit the keel of the yacht, a job started shortly before we left, while, according to the team, the mast will be added at the beginning of next week.

The team's schedule is to launch the boat on the 25th of April, leaving a scant two weeks for the red dragon and the crew to prepare for the Louis Vuitton Act 10 and face an uphill battle as during the first day of racing, China Team will have to sail against Luna Rossa and Alinghi.

The hull of CHN-79 has been painted and transported in front of the future China Team base. Valencia, 14 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The hull of CHN-79 has been painted and transported in front of the future China Team base. Valencia, 14 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The hull of CHN-79 has been painted and transported in front of the future China Team base. Valencia, 14 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of the shore crew's many tasks today was to fit the keel of CHN-79. Valencia, 14 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The vertical structural beams of the future China Team base are already on place. The hull of CHN-79 is visible at the back. Valencia, 14 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing