Mean Machine in Valencia

Yet another brand new boat is in the world's sailing capital. We visited Valencia's yacht club this morning to have a closer at Mean Machine's TP52 yacht. The Dutch team's boat was built in Wellington, launched in Auckland two months ago and is now in Valencia, where she arrived last week together with NZL-84, the Emirates Team New Zealand boat.

Although this website primarily covers the America's Cup, the TP 52 class draws much attention, given the important number of America's Cup sailors that tested their skills in the Breitling MedCup during 2005 and the integration of many more this year.

Mean Machine deserves a special mention since five sailors from Emirates Team New Zealand will be the core crew during the 2006 Breitling Medcup. They are Ray DaviesAfterguard of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info, Stuart BettanyBowman of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info, Jonathan MacbethGrinder of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info, Tony RaePitman/Runner of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info and Joe Allen who will sail with owner and skipper Peter de Ridder. In addition, Vasco Vascotto Skipper of Mascalzone Latino – Capitalia Team
Click for more info and Nacho Postigo from Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team will be part of the crew in some of the events that constitute this summer's Breitling MedCup.

Mean Machine's TP52 boat in the yacht club. Valencia, 4 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine's TP52 boat in the yacht club. Valencia, 4 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The boat is being prepared to move to Palma de Mallorca, her base for the 2006 Breitling MedCup. Together with other five TP52 boats Mean Machine will make fer maiden race in the PalmaVela in two weeks. We will visit the yacht club before the end of the week, in order to take more pictures of the boat with the mast and boom.

Mean Machine's TP52 boat in the yacht club. Valencia, 4 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine's TP52 boat in the yacht club. Valencia, 4 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mean Machine's TP52 boat in the yacht club. Valencia, 4 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing