Meanwhile in the world's sailing capital...

With just a month left till the next Louis Vuitton Cup we thought it would appropriate to report on the status of the America's Cup teams with a small tour of Port America's Cup.

Despite sailing inside the basin on a Saturday morning, things were not calm or relaxed as one would have expected. Time is running out for the teams and weekend breaks are about to become a luxury and all of them have adopted a six-day, if not seven-day, working week. If not on a training session off the Malvarosa beach, yachts are going through intensive work and fine tuning.

It was a great opportunity to see all the boats in front of the team bases with the exception of China Team and Emirates Team New Zealand. As our readers know, the former is finalizing painting CHN-79 while the latter still have their two boats inside the sheds, although the recent assembly of both travelifts could be a sign that the challenger from New Zealand is about to resume training and testing in Valencia.

Luna Rossa Challenge

The Luna Rossa base. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two Luna Rossa boats, ITA-86 (left) and ITA-74. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team New Zealand

The Emirates Team New Zealand base. The team's two boats NZL-82 and NZL-84 are behind closed doors inside the shed. It shouldn't be long before they make their public appearance as the Kiwi challenger have recently assembled both travelifts. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

AREVA Challenge

Without any doubt, this is the most important and pleasant change in Port America's Cup. Not only has the French America's Cup challenger permanently moved into its new base in Valencia, it now counts with the financial backing of a strong multinational group.

The AREVA Challenge base with FRA-60 in front of it. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

FRA-60, the boat of AREVA Challenge. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

FRA-60, the boat of AREVA Challenge. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Victory Challenge

The Victory Challenge base. The team were preparing their boat SWE-73 for the day's training session. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Victory Challenge base. The team were preparing their boat SWE-73 for the day's training session. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Victory Challenge aboard their boat SWE-73 being towed out of the canal. Weekend breaks in the training program will certainly be less frequent from now on. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle Racing

The BMW Oracle base. The Challenger of Record of the 32nd America's Cup took the day off but Sunday will be just another training and testing day. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

+39 Challenge

The +39 Challenge base. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Shosholoza

The Shosholoza base. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi

The Alinghi base. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Alinghi's two boats being prepared for the day's training session. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

United Internet Team Germany

The United Internet Team Germany base. The team's boat, GER-72, is ready to start the day's training session. The German challenger is in the midst of a 10-day nonstop training program. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español 2007

The Desafío Español base. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team

The Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team base. The Italian team are working round the clock inside the boat shed in order to make the newly arrived ITA-90 ready to sail. Valencia, 8 April 2006. Photo taken by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing