+39 Challenge presents and christens ITA-85

Despite the frantic racing action in Valencia, +39 Challenge, the Italian America's Cup challenger unveiled and christened their brand new boat, ITA-85. The hull of the yacht arrived in the team's base earlier this week and is the brainchild of a team headed by the principal designer Giovanni Ceccarelli. It was built in the Soleri Boatyards, managed by Fabio Soleri, together with technicians from the Sicilcraft and Dannaval boatyards from Palermo. In charge of the boatbuilding supervision from the Italian team were Sebastiano Reich Morassutti and Antonie Le Villan with the collaboration of Gabriele Uboldi.

ITA-85 comes at a critical time for the Italian challenger, as their current aged boat ITA-59 puts a serious drag into the olympian efforts of helmsman Iain Percy, tactician Ian Walker and the rest of the crew. Obviously, the new boat will not come to the rescue of +39 Challenge in the current Louis Vuitton Act 12, but according to Giovanni Ceccarelli, she will be ready for her first sail and structural test in Valencia's waters during the first week of September. As Iain Percy stated, it takes quite some work to turn a hull into a racing machine.

Iain Percy, helmsman of +39 Challenge, christens ITA-85 in the +39 Challenge base. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-85 in the +39 Challenge base. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-85 in the +39 Challenge base. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The bow of ITA-85. As even the most untrained eye can observe, there is no bowsprit. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

A closeup of the bow of ITA-85. As even the most untrained eye can observe, there is no bowsprit. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-85 in the +39 Challenge base. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Giovanni Ceccarelli, chief designer of +39 Challenge and father of ITA-85. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Final picture for today, the bow of ITA-85 from above, as far as Giovanni Ceccarelli would allow us to photograph. Valencia, 24 June 2006. Photo by Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing