+39 Challenge ready for tomorrow's racing

Today is a waiting day for "+39". On the old "Ita 59", they will be racing against the other Italian boat, Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team then against the Spanish boat Desafío Español 2007.

This is the day (and the night) before "exams", where exams represent the first series of Match Races of Louis Vuitton Act 10. For the "+39" crew it has been an ordinary day: they are still focused on the old and celebrated "Ita 59", the boat whose sails read Regione Sicilia and Fondiaria-Sai, whose boom reads Yamamay, Postpay, Gilli and Saporiti Italia and which will race also in this series of regattas while the team is waiting for the new "Ita 85" to be completed in Italy and taken to Valencia before the June Louis Vuitton Acts.

Helmsman Iain PercyHelmsman of +39 Challenge


Click for more info took part in the traditional press conference where the debut of new boats for Emirates Team Zealand, Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle has been confirmed. At the "+39" base the Shore Team started working very soon. As usual, crew members met with those in charge of training, Stig WestergaardOn Board coach of +39 Challenge

Click for more info and Roberto FerrareseGeneral coach of +39 Challenge

Click for more info, the staff working in close contact with the tactician Ian WalkerAfterguard of +39 Challenge


Click for more info. They also analyzed the mistakes made in the last races. Everybody in the Italian base admitted that, "we can’t expect too much from our boat, however each Match will be helpful for the crew to get ready for next year, when the real qualification phase for the America’s Cup will take place".

In the first two regattas scheduled for Thursday, "+39" will be racing against Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and the Spanish Desafío Español 2007. Like in football, there is going to be a "derby" and competitions full of tension and open to any result, taking into account that other aspects besides technical sports ones might have effects on what will happen in Valencia.