ESP-88 transfered from boatyard to Desafio Espanol 2007 base

As we wrote on Thursday, ESP-88, the brand new boat of the Spanish America's Cup challenger Desafio Espanol 2007 - and Valencia's home team - left the King Marine boatyard at 10am on Saturday morning and was transfered through some of Valencia's main avenues and sights before reaching the team base in Port America's Cup at noon.

After 25,000 hours of intese work, King Marine's team of 22 expert boatbuilders delivered the hull of the Spanish syndicate's brand new "rocket" and it is now up to the team's shore crew to fit her out in order to have her ready to sail at the beginning of June. As the team have indicated, their intention is to race with ESP-88 in Louis Vuitton Act 12, in about two months from today.

The hull of ESP-88 leaving the boatyard, in Alginet, around 20km from Valencia. Valencia, 29 April 2006. Photo copyright: Desafio Espanol 2007

The hull of ESP-88 in front of Valencia's futuristic opera house. Valencia, 29 April 2006. Photo copyright: Desafio Espanol 2007

The hull of ESP-88 entering the Desafio Espanol 2007 base in Port America's Cup. Valencia, 29 April 2006. Photo copyright: Desafio Espanol 2007