+39 Challenge resume work and training

[Source: +39 Challenge] It all follows a schedule set in advance. The +39 base is once again buzzing with acitvity after the Christmas break. The shore crew is putting the final touches on the long job of fitting out ITA-85 that after concluding on a positive note the first structural tests went through an exhaustive control of all material, with particular focus on hydraulics.

The yacht, creation of a group of designers lead by Giovanni Ceccarelli, will resume sailing next week. The whole sailing crew will be present and their main task will be to finetune the boat with speed and maneuverability tests. After that initial stage, the team has scheduled a series of training sessions dedicated to match racing. "Work has resumed without any problem - emphasizes Cesare Pasotti, team manager of +39 - some aspects had to be rethought but there was no forced stop the way some uninformed parties have been proclaiming widely, always eager to criticize the daily problems that had to face a team taking part in a complex and long competition such as the America's Cup".

Work will also continue in parallel on the new mast and sails that will be used during Louis Vuitton Act 13, in the first week of April. "I would like to remind - adds Cesare Pasotti - that the problems related to one of the employees of our company have now been resolved.”

ITA-85 of +39 Challenge during her first test sails. Valencia, 22 October 2006. Photo copyright +39 Challenge