Emirates Team New Zealand yachts take off for Valencia

[Source: Emirates Team New Zealand] Emirates Team New Zealand’s race yachts (NZL-84 and NZL-92) are on their way to Valencia, stowed in the massive hold of an Antonov cargo aircraft.

The aircraft left Auckland at daybreak on a 56-hour journey to Spain.

Team shore crew and engineers carefully loaded the aircraft on Tuesday. The shrink-wrapped yachts, masts, keels and bulbs were accompanied by several tones of gear and sails.

The aircraft will arrive at Valencia airport early on Saturday morning. Many members of the shore crew are in Valencia and sailing crew leave over the next few days.

The Auckland base is now closed and team operations switch to Spain. Already shore crew members are readying the base for the Antonov’s arrival. The team's workshops, 60ft tender, chase boats and container loads of equipment have either arrived in Valencia by sea or a due soon. Sailing crew and remaining shore will progressively fly north over the next 10 days.

By early March, the team will be fully operational again. NZL 92 and NZL 84 will be sailing off Valencia and the team will be back into some serious preparation for the regattas which start in April. The yachts will be sailing again on March 5.

NZL-84 and NZL-92 being loaded into the Antonov cargo plane. Auckland, 21 February 2007. Photo copyright Emirates Team New Zealand