ESP-88 on parade through Valencia

Saturday, April 29, will be a milestone in the history of the America's Cup and Valencia. ESP-88, the brand new boat of the Spanish America's Cup challenger Desafio Espanol 2007, will leave the King Marine boatyard in Alginet and head to the team's base in Port America's Cup.

Unlike most of the other America's Cup teams that chose to bring their new boats under absolute secrecy and with hardly any previous notice, the first ever America's Cup yacht built in Valencia will parade in part of the city's important thoroughfares before entering the boat shed in Port America's Cup.

During the two hours that lasts the trip and escorted by police cars, the hull of ESP-88 will cross some of Valencia's main avenues giving Valencians and tourists the chance to get a glimpse of a brand new America's Cup yacht, even if she's wrapped in plastic.

It could even be the first ever boat arrival to be seen live online through the Desafio Espanol 2007 webcam, if of course the team gives us that opportunity.

Note: Being marooned in Athens, Greece, I unfortunately cannot guarantee the usual extensive coverage that Valencia Sailing provides of all events related to the America's Cup in Valencia.