The Siemens boat arrives in Punta Ala, unbeaten in 2006

Everything is ready for the opening race of the Breitling MedCup 2006 season in Punta Ala, Italy.

The Siemens boat, jointly owned by Irsihman Eamon Connelly and Pedro Perelló will start the races as the one to be measured against, after winning the Rolex TP52 Championship in Miami last March as well as the regatta Ciudad de Málaga-Costa del Sol, in Spain last month.

Punta Ala will be her first real test against 18 boats, a number of them brand new that will be racing for the first time in the Italian regatta.

The Mallorcan boat will count once again on an exceptional crew. Freshly arrived from Valencia and after ten days of intense America's Cup racing are Ian WalkerAfterguard of +39 Challenge


Click for more info and Ian WeighellStarbord Grinder of Victory Challenge

Click for more info. The Spanish team has recently added to her crew Adrienne Cahalan from Australia who was navigator aboard Brasil 1 during the first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race.

Some of the best sailors in the world will line up on the start line on Tuesday, guaranteeing the highest possible level of excitement. High-caliber names such as Russell Coutts, Gavin Brady or John Kostecky will make their second appearance in the Breitling MedCup circuit.

Simenes Project Manager, Pedro Perelló, is very confident of his team abilities: "We have a very competitive boat and crew, they clearly demonstrated it in the events they took part in during last season and two regattas this year, although we have to be prudent and we will watch closely how the other boats perform". Perelló is aware of the high level the TP52 class has achieved: "We have of the world's best sailors here in Punta Ala and a number of boats have all that it takes to win. We will try to fight for one of the top spots".