New TP52 Caixa Galicia presented in Valencia

Yet another brand new TP52 boat was presented this afternoon in Valencia. This time it was the turn of Caixa Galicia with a Botín Carkeek design built in the Ximo Lopez boatyard, 60 kilometers north of Valencia. She can be considered the "twin" of the Mutua Madrileña boat given the fact they shared the same mold. This time, boat owner Vicente Tirado opted for a yacht performing in a wider range of winds and will aim to advance from fourth overall place in 2006.

As far as the crew is concerned, apart from tactician John Kostecki, there are hardly any big America's Cup names. After the presentation we went out to take pictures of a brief test sail. I was fuming when I could see in the distance Alinghi and Emirates Team NZ training against each other!!!

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new Caixa Galicia officially presented. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Mecup

The new TP52 Siemens is in Valencia's yacht club, ready to start the 2007 Breitling Medcup. She was designed by Rolf Vrolijk and built at the King Marine boatyard in Valencia. Although technically the boat was launched last week and already sailed for a couple of times, since today it is officially branded as Siemens. The German multinational sponsors the boat, hoping to repeat last year's third place in the Breitling Medcup.

Unlike 2006, the crew this year will be mostly composed of Argentinians with Guillermo Parada as skipper and helmsman. Two other America's Cup sailors will race with Siemens, Juan Pablo Cadario from Desafío Español and Alejandro Colla from +39 Challenge. Without any doubt, the star of the team will be the American Dee Smith who will call tactics throughout the 2007 season.

The boat will be re-launched on Monday and the team will continue their training in Valencia for a week, before moving to Alicante for the first event of the 2007 Breitling Medcup.

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The new TP52 Siemens is ready for the 2007 Breitling Medcup. Valencia, 30 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Farr to design 2 Volvo Ocean Race boats for Spanish team

[Source: Farr Yacht Design] Farr Yacht Design (FYD) has been commissioned to research, design and support two Volvo Open 70's for a Spanish entry in the 2008/2009 Volvo Ocean Race. The Volvo Ocean Race starts in Alicante, Spain, October 2008 and involves 9 months of racing on 11 legs that will take competitors to stopovers in South Africa, Dubai, India, China, Brasil, USA, Ireland and Europe.

This is the first time that FYD has elected to work for a single program for the Volvo Ocean Race. “This arrangement permits greater involvement of our design team with the project management, builders and crew,” said Patrick Shaughnessy, Vice President of FYD. “We will be making a much bigger contribution to strategic planning, construction supervision, boat optimization and tuning assistance during the race than ever before.”

Research work at FYD commenced in November 2006 and involves a team comprised of FYD designers and outside consultants. Tank testing is currently underway at the Davidson Laboratory at Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey. Having recently undergone renovations and upgrades, the facility is very attractive for this program. Frank DeBord of Chesapeake Marine Technology is managing the tank-testing program.

The Spanish entry has acquired an existing Volvo Open 70 and FYD has designed modifications to the boat that will be built and tested over the next few months. Sails, appendages, hull shapes and canting systems are all part of the full-scale testing program. FYD staff members have been sailing on the boat and will be onboard for testing of the modifications to obtain first hand knowledge to use in their research and design work.

“This exclusive arrangement with a well-funded, early start program has allowed research and planning to proceed promptly enhancing the prospect of success. We are thrilled to be researching these exciting boats once again and looking forward to launching the next generation of VOR 70's in 2008,” said Russ Bowler, President of FYD.

King Marine Newsletter May 2007

Access the complete May 2007 newsletter here
King Marine launches two new TP52s for the Breitling MedCup

This year’s Breitling MedCup will feature two new boats built at King Marine Valencia, in Alginet. They are Alberto Roemmers’ ‘Matador’ and ‘Bribón’, owned by Josep Cusí and helmed by King Juan Carlos of Spain. Both boats are on schedule and due for delivery in May, starting with “Matador” finished last week.

Both are designed by Rolf Vrolijk whose Mean Machine, in the hands of Peter de Ridder, dominated last year’s Breitling Cup. Entries are up again this year and this is expected to be the most competitive edition yet.

The Breitling MedCup, now in its third year, is the highlight of the European TP 52 calendar. This year, the Cup starts with three regattas in Spain – Alicante in June, Puerto Portals in July and Palma de Mallorca in August. Then the Cup visits Portugal for the first time, Portimão in August, before concluding in Hyères in September.

GP42 Grand Soleil by King Marine - first BA boats prepare to take Europe by storm



Expectation is growing in Europe’s GP42 fleet as Jan Santana’s Team Zurich makes her first competitive outing, Pedro Campo’s Movistar nears race-readiness in Spain and Peer Moberg anticipates the arrival of Al Capone in Hamburg.

These three boats are the first of five GP 42´Grand Soleil by King Marine, built in Buenos Aires and designed by Botin & Carkeek.

Light winds prevented a thorough examination of Team Zurich’s abilities but, as boatbuilder and navigator Jan Santana confirms, she’s quick.

"This boat weighs two tons less than the previous one so we’re comparatively much faster in light winds, and we’ve seen that speed differential on the water here in Barcelona," says Santana. "The Trofeo Ermenegildo Zegna is the first time we’ve ever raced her, so it’s exciting to know there’s so much more to come."

Zulueta: "Desafío Español 2007 is in the semifinals because we deserve to be"

The objective of earning the best classification of a Spanish team in the history of the America’s Cup was accomplished earlier in May, Desafío Español 2007 is in the semifinals of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Spanish syndicate has taken stock of the work done over the last three years.

Agustín Zulueta, the Technical and Sports Director of Desafío Español 2007, commented that “today Desafío Español is in the semifinals because they deserve to be not because Victory Challenge lost against Team New Zealand. We have won 13 regattas during the two Round Robins, which shows work well done.”

“In sporting terms we have given our all and we have created a technical office, despite a beginning which was hard due to the problem that we had with the designer Phil Kaiko; and also a shipyard in Alginet. This is the pride of the whole team, made up of more than 100 people, we have obtained the Desafío of everybody and now it is seen that sailing is not an elitist sport” added Zulueta.

Luis Doreste also, thanked Zulueta for having created such an ambitious project “in which we set a really high objective which was to get through to the semifinals. Now we have managed it we can feel satisfied, although sometimes we saw it as being difficult as all the teams have been really strong”.

Doreste also recognised the work of the technical office “we have a competitive boat with which we can take on any rival. We have fought for each regatta, this is the fruit of the work of two teams during 12 hours a day over three years.”

The man from the Canary Islands sees that qualifying for the semifinals in the America’s Cup is very complicated “due to the level that there is between the teams. From now on, we have to set our sights higher”.

John Cutler, technical director and tactician with the Spanish team, admitted that he was pleased with the results and thanked the work “of everybody who has made it possible to be in the semifinals: technical office, crew”.

The vice-president of the Spanish Sailing Federation, Manuel Chirivella, commented that “it was a difficult beginning, when some people viewed this project with scepticism. Today it has been confirmed that the sport of sailing in Spain is strong and consolidated”.

The head of the syndicate said he had received congratulations from the royal family, the President of the local government, Francisco Camps, and the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá and he gave his thanks for “all the support received”.

The RC44 Oeiras Cup promises to be intense

[Source: RC44] The third stage of the RC 44 Championship Tour – the Oeiras Cup - will be held in Portugal between May 31 and June 1. Oeiras is a little town located half way between Lisbon and Cascais, and a great sailing venue. Six teams will compete for the trophy, as well as for some more points on the RC 44 Championship Tour.

Current joint leaders of the annual contest after two regattas, Chris Bake’s Team Aqua (UAE) and Miroslav Reljanovic’s Cro-A-Sail (CRO) are the logical favorites of the event. However, Team Omega, with Russell Coutts (at the helm for the match races) and Nicholas Verwilghen (steering during the fleet regattas) will do their best to get back to the top. Also competing for victory, Isao Mita’s Beecom (JPN) and the Italian team Magia Alikè will certainly seriously challenge the current leaders of the championship.

One new team joins the fleet for the first time in Oeiras: Team V1 Racing (UAE), sailing onboard the first RC 44 built by V1 in Dubai. Rasmus Kostner is expected on board, possibly with some more America’s Cup sailors. The RC 44 is an owner-driver class, but professional sailors are involved in all the teams, making the RC 44 Championship Tour a high standard sailing event. Indeed, Cameron Appleton, Tomislav Basic, Russell Coutts, Morten Henrikson and many more top professional sailors guarantee the highest possible level of competition.

As usually, the competition will start and finish with fleet races, while match-races will be held on Friday and Saturday.

According to the sailors already in Lisbon, the course is located in a splendid area. The sailing conditions are perfect, with a fairly strong breeze and a little chop. The show promises to be great.

Paolo Cian wins Match Race Germany

[Source: Match Race Germany] Paolo Cian won his second World Match Racing Tour championship when he defeated Mathieu Richard 2-0 in the final of the 10th annual Match Race Germany. Cian, helmsman of the South African America´s Cup-team Shosholoza, and his crew overcame the French Saba Sailing team of Mathieu Richard.

Cian and his Team Shosholoza crew Pierluigi Fornelli, Santino Brizzi, Pierluigi Felio and Pietro Mantovani finished with a 13-5 record and won 4,800€ of the 20,000€ prize purse.

Shifty conditions with gusty 10 to 15 knot winds challenged the finalists and were significant in the tight races that were displayed. However, it was a tacking duel in both races that allowed Cian to display his skill as an America’s Cup helmsman. "My team has done a good job in learning the legs, the shifts, the path and the boat. Every match racer has his own story and every stage of the match makes a difference. Mathieu Richard had a sound performance overall, winning almost every race going in to the final, but it was Cian’s team who were superior on the day. "My team is a little stronger and I feel this was an advantage in dealing with the ever changing wind conditions" said Cian.

Mathieu Richard congratulated his opponent and praised his team mates for all their hard work. "It has been a busy couple of weeks having come straight from LA where we won the Congressional Cup to here and coming second, we are thrilled with our achievements" said Richard.

Despite coming second, Richard has earned enough points to secure the number one spot on the World Match Racing Tour leader board. He currently leads with 70 points. He is closely followed by Cian with 66 points, whilst the World #1, Ian Williams, slips in to third place with 62 points.

Valencia Sailing talks to James Spithill

Only four days are left till the Louis Vuitton Cup finals and despite the apparent tranquility around Port America's Cup, there is plenty of work going on in the three active bases (Alinghi, Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ). Luna Rossa's sailing team is taking these days off and will be back in full action probably on Wednesday. We took advantage of this short break and talked to the Italian team's helmsman James Spithill.

Valencia Sailing: Let's start with the semifinals. Were you surprised to beat BMW Oracle by such a margin?
James Spithill: I was surprised with the score line. Honestly, we always thought it was going to go to the full nine races. When I was preparing and looking at the two teams, we both looked very strong and I could see no reason why it shouldn't go to the nine races. So my answer is yes, we were surprised but the score line doesn't represent how close racing was.

Valencia Sailing: Still, the scoreline shows a great difference. Was that due to Luna Rossa improving considerably or BMW Oracle imploding during the semifinals?
James Spithill: You know it's difficult for me to say what happened inside BMW Oracle since I'm not part of the team but we have been working on that for 3 years now, trying to put the whole package together out on the water and I think we took a good step forward in improving during the round robins. After all, that has always been our goal, to continue our development and keep stepping up after each stage.

Valencia Sailing: Without any doubt, your very successful prestarts played a very important role in your victories against BMW Oracle. Don't you think you sometimes took too much risk for an America's Cup boat and race?
James Spithill: No, because this is what we have been doing in house. The only reason we were really able to go out and push hard with confidence is because we had been pushing very hard with our in-house racing. Philippe Presti and all the guys on ITA-86 have been pushing ITA-94 to the limit. In addition, they have been providing with lots of support during the races, such as analysis and spotting areas where we need to improve. Philippe Presti and Charlie McKee have done a fantastic job.

Valencia Sailing: Will you be equally aggressive against Emirates Team NZ or are you going to have more conservative prestarts?
James Spithill: When we go out to race and we see an opportunity we'll go for it, whether it is in taking an advantage in the prestart, in boathandling or even with the wind. You can also argue Torben Grael was aggressive in the way he raced the wind but he and I think the same way. If we see an opportunity, we are going to get it.

Valencia Sailing: Sure, but you lost your second semifinal race against BMW Oracle because of what a lot of people thought was Torben throwing a dice hoping to get lucky. Is he going to follow more conventional match racing tactics now?

James Spithill: When I look at my team and its tacticians, Charlie McKee and Torben Grael, I wouldn't want anyone else in the back of the boat calling tactics. They both are extremely good in their jobs and among the best in the world. One thing that has been satisfying to me is that we have been able to show we can play a lot of different styles in the game. We can play the read the wind, split, or we can play the tight match racing and go bow for bow. For us it's something we have been working on very hard and it's good to be able to show it. We will keep doing what we have been doing, keep training the same and not change anything.

Valencia Sailing: Turning our attention to other semifinal, were you surprised to see Desafío Español fighting hard and scoring two victories?
James Spithill: No, I wasn't surprised at all. I always had a lot of respect for them. Louis Doreste and Karol Jablonski did a fantastic job and as the home team they had the extra drive and support. I was impressed but not surprised. I knew they were a strong team.

Valencia Sailing: Having seen the Spanish take these two wins do you feel more confident now? Do you think it will be easier for you than you previously thought?
James Spithill: No, I don't. If you look at the round robins, Shosholoza beat us, Desafío Español beat BMW Oracle, Mascalzone Capitalia beat Emirates Team NZ. There were six boats, incredibly close in speed and it only takes one mistake to lose a race. I treat the kiwis with just as much respect as I did with BMW Oracle and I'm sure they are going to be tough.

Valencia Sailing: Seven years ago, Dean Barker beat Francseco de Angelis 5-0 in the America's Cup match. Is this going to be a sort of revenge?
James Spithill: Well, it wasn't exactly Barker that beat Luna Rossa. Russell Coutts's hand was involved in the first 4 victories. A couple of sailors from that match are involved in our team and probably quite a few are with Emirates Team NZ. I am sure they look forward to doing it again.

Valencia Sailing: What is that you fear the most about the New Zealanders?
James Spithill: The fact that when I look carefully at them I don't see any weaknesses. I'm sure they feel the same when they look at us. For me it's just two teams that are extremely evenly matched and I'm sure we will see a real fight on the water.

Valencia Sailing: Will boat speed be an important factor in that fight? Is any of the two boats (ITA-94 and NZL-92) faster than the other one?
James Spithill: Yes, boat speed will be very important as it has always been. For me both boats look very similar. In the last couple of months we only raced them twice, both races were very close and the result is even. We won one and lost one. As I said, our boat and the ones of BMW Oracle, the New Zealanders and Spanish were all really close. I'm expecting the same.

Valencia Sailing: Finally, what will be the determining factor in the Louis Vuitton Cup final, either for you or the New Zealanders?
James Spithill: There is no individual factor. For me it's the whole package. It's a team sport and you can't do just one thing correctly, you have to do everything well. That was the ingredient to our success against BMW Oracle and something we work hard upon for the finals.

Spanish TP52 and GP42 boats warm up for 2007 season in Barcelona's Trofeo Godó

Although all the attention of the world sailing community is focused in Valencia and the 32nd America's, a couple of hundreds of miles from here, the other two major professional sailing classes, TP52s and GP42s, are steadily warming up for the upcoming 2007 season in various regattas.

For the TP52s the opening event of the 2007 Breitling Medcup starts in about 15 days in Alicante, from June 12 to 17. For the GP42 the maiden regatta will take place in Cres, Croatia, from June 21 to 23, but the class will see its whole armada racing for the first time here in Valencia, from July 12 to 14, right after the end of the America's Cup.

In view of the imminent start of their 2007 racing season, boats from both classes are taking part in various regattas along the Spanish Mediterranean coast. Here is a brief report with some pictures from the latest one, Trofeo Godó, currently taking place in Barcelona until Sunday, May 27.

GP42
Similar to the other Spanish regattas, the GP42 class did not compete on its own since they still only have one representative sailing, the GP42 Zurich. This time the Zurich boat was reinforced with America's Cup caliber crew. She was helmed by Jordi Calafta (Alinghi's strategist), Pepe Ribes took his position on the bow similar to what he has been doing for Victory Challenge in Valencia, while Desafío Español's Nuno Barreto took over as genoa trimmer.

The impressions from the boat continue being excellent and Jordi Calafat was awed by the boat's speed, stating that "she's a very fast boat, there's no doubt about it, and it's a different way to sail, upwind the difference is not noticeable but downwind this boat is from another planet!! Exactly for this reason I think we still have to train intensively before the opening regatta of the season in Valencia".

The GP42 Zurich racing in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Jordi Play / Trofeo Conde Godó

The GP42 Zurich racing in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Jordi Play / Trofeo Conde Godó

TP52
Four Spanish boats had been registered to race in this regatta but only three of them are competing. In addition to the three "veterans" of the class, ONO, Balearia and TAU-Andalucia, a brand new entry, CAM, was to race her maiden regatta in Barcelona. Unfortunately, the boat from Alicante encountered severe problems with the keel and despite the three sleepless nights of their shore crew the problem was not solved and the brand new yacht was not launched on water.

Iñaki Castañer's ONO was clearly ahead of the other two boats, in generally very good conditions and winds that reached 24 winds.

Part of the Spanish TP52 fleet in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Alfred Farré

Part of the Spanish TP52 fleet in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Alfred Farré

Part of the Spanish TP52 fleet in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Alfred Farré

Part of the Spanish TP52 fleet in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Alfred Farré

Part of the Spanish TP52 fleet in the Trofeo Conde Gondó. Barcelona, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Alfred Farré

Ian Williams, world's top match racer, eliminated from quarterfinals of Match Race Germany

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] Langenargen Germany famous for beautiful scenery on the cross borders of Southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is the most picturesque little town dominated by its own castle. This morning saw the most beautiful breeze and racing got under way as scheduled. The hotshots were ready and Mathieu Richard of Saba Sailing team went on to beat his fellow country man America's Cup skipper Sébastien Col of Areva Challenge. Both won 4 races in Group A1's Round Robin but Richard won the tiebreaker to take the lead. Local favourite Marcus Weiser took the win from Shosholoza's Paolo Cian to lead Group A2.

It was a surprising early departure for the current World Tour leader and World Ranked #1 Ian Williams. “It was not the conditions that dictated us leaving so early in the game we were simply not on our usual winning form” said Williams. Williams is always very strong in the starting box but with the conditions being so light, this was less of an advantage. Joining Ian Williams in elimination were Bjorn Hansen, Carsten Kemmling and Wearn Haw Tan of China Team.

Eight crews (the top four from Group A1 & A2) qualified for the quarterfinals. The Quarterfinal Round, a seven-flight round robin, featured crews led by skippers Mathieu Richard, Sébastien Col, Evgeniy Neugodnikov and Eric Monnin from Group A1. Markus Wieser, Paolo Cian, Staffan Lindberg and Michael Hestbaek qualified from Group A2.

Quarter Final Standings (After 1/7 Flights)

SKIPPER	COUNTRY	TEAM	WINS	LOSS
Mathieu Richard	FRA	Saba Sailing	1	0
Markus Wieser	GER		1	0
Eugeniy Neugodnikov	RUS	Lord of the Sail	1	0
Michael Hestbaek	DEN		1	0
Sébastien Col	FRA	Areva Challenge	0	1
Eric Monnin	SUI		0	1
Paulo Cian	ITA	Team Shosholoza	0	1
Staffan Lindberg	FIN	Alandia Sailing	0	1

Conditions finally improved in the third day of Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 26 May 2007. Photo copyright Rosaly Magg / Match Race Germany

Light winds continue for second day at Match Race Germany

[Source: World Match Racing Tour] It was a testing day for Group A2 skippers and their crews on the waters of Lake Constance on day 2 of Match Race Germany. Wieser, Lindberg, Williams, Hansen, Cian and Hestbaek all faced soaring temperatures and light wind conditions. The late wind kicked in at 19.00hrs and nothing was going to stop Rudi Magg (PRO) from completing as many races as possible.

German Markus Wieser looked comfortable on home waters in Race 1 and was able to secure his first win of the regatta against Staffan Lindberg of Finland. “It was a fair race and we look forward to the improving conditions that are forecast for the next few days” said Weiser. He went on to win his second race against Björn Hansen.

World Match Race Tour Leader Ian Williams (GBR) of Pindar Sailing lost his first race to Swede Bjorn Hansen who made the better of the tricky conditions on offer in their race to secure the point. An upbeat Williams said “I’m looking forward to getting my teeth stuck into some proper racing as soon as conditions improve”. Which is exactly what he went on to do by taking a race from local favourite Markus Wieser

Team Shosholoza helmsman, Paolo Cian (ITA) was also victorious today, showing some more of his recent America's Cup form to win all three of his races.

Racing is scheduled to resume on Saturday morning around 9:00 a.m., weather permitting.

GROUP A1 STANDINGS 25/05/2007

SKIPPER	COUNTRY	TEAM	WINS	LOSS
Sébastien Col	FRA	Areva Challenge	3	0
Eric Monnin	SUI		3	0
Mathieu Richard	FRA	Saba Sailing	2	1
Eugeniy Neugodnikov	RUS		1	2
Carsten Kemmling	GER		0	3
Wearn Haw Tan	SGP		0	3

GROUP A2 STANDINGS 25/05/2007

SKIPPER	COUNTRY	TEAM	WINS	LOSS
Paolo Cian	ITA	Team Shosholoza	3	0
Markus Wieser	GER		2	1
Björn Hansen	SWE	Apport.net	1	2
Ian Williams	GBR	Pindar	1	2
Staffan Lindberg	FIN	Alandia Sailing	1	2
Michael Hestbaek	DEN		1	2

Testing and light conditions continued for the second day in a row in Match Race Germany. Langenargen, 25 May 2007. Photo copyright Rosaly Magg / Match Race Germany

Sébastien Col leads Match Race Germany after light-wind first day

[Source: Match Race Germany] The first day of the 10th Jubilee Match Race Germany, Stage 7 of the World Match Racing Tour 2006 – 07 season saw 12 crews from 9 countries take to the water on Lake Constance in South West Germany. Group A1 began the day with three flights and Group A2 flights were abandoned due to failing wind.

After a trying day beset by light winds America’s Cup skipper Sébastien Col (FRA) of Areva Challenge showed his strengths as a match racer and finished the day with a 3-0 record. Eric Monnin (SUI) faired well to match Col’s winning streak and is tied in first place in Group A1’s standings.

Second ranked World Tour Skipper Mathieu Richard (FRA) of Saba Sailing came away with a 2-1 result. “It was a very hard day. The wind was light and it was difficult to finish in such conditions.” Said Richard.

Organisers Eberhard Magg and Harold Thierer are happy to be celebrating the 10th Jubilee of Match Race Germany and will be joined by 35,000 visitors during the course of the long weekend. “The last 10 years have been tough but wonderful years. We have been through highs and lows but have always been motivated by our competitors, spectators and partners. Match Race Germany has evolved and is stronger than ever and we look forward as we move into our 2nd decade”. Said Magg

Racing is scheduled to resume on Friday morning around 9:00 a.m., weather permitting.

GROUP A1 STANDINGS 24/05/2007

SKIPPER	COUNTRY	TEAM	WINS	LOSS
Sébastian Col	FRA	Areva Challenge	3	0
Eric Monnin	SUI		3	0
Mathieu Richard	FRA	Saba Sailing	2	1
Eugeniy Neugodnikov	RUS		1	2
Carsten Kemmling	GER		0	3
Wearn Haw Tan	SGP		0	3

Not only Valencia suffered from excruciatingly light winds. The first day of Match Race Germany was equally testing. Langenargen, 24 May 2007. Photo copyright Rosaly Magg / Match Race Germany

Chris Dickson is officially out of BMW Oracle

It was supposed to be a day off and most of the journalists in Valencia were either heading back home or relaxing at the beach in this beautiful, warm and sunny afternoon. Unfortunately, somebody in BMW Oracle had the idea to urgently summon the press to their base in order to make an announcement.

We were welcomed in the American team's in-house movie theater by Russell Green, Business Director, Mirko Groeschner, Marketing Director, and Laurent Esquier, Operations Director. First, Green made an official announcement, stating that Chris Dickson had resigned from all his duties in BMW Oracle and as of today he didn't form part of the team. This didn't really come as a surprise and it was the only exit way for the New Zealander. On the contrary, any other option would have been puzzling.

After that brief statement it was the journalists turn to start asking questions that unfortunately were left unanswered. The most frequent reply was, "this will be decided by Larry Ellison". Of course there were some speculative questions regarding the alleged withdrawal of BMW from the team or even Russell Coutts enjoying the team's hospitality last week in view of a possible incorporation. There was no comment on the first, while on the second it was left clear Coutts didn't visit the base in Valencia.

The only official news is that Gavin Brady is now responsible of the sailing team and that BMW Oracle will participate in the exhibition regatta to take place late September in San Fracisco. All other issues are still under consideration and the team's major task right now is to gradually wind down its operations in Valencia.

It was a senseless press conference but at least we all received a nice polo shirt and ate some appetizing Spanish "jamón".

Day off

We take a little break on Thursday and will be back shortly with interesting reports.

Will the America's Cup stay in Valencia for another 2 years? That's what Valencians want.

For the New Zealanders, new Challenger of Record as of today, it was business as usual right after their victory against the Spanish on Wednesday. Even Marcelino Botín, their designer, had to to do manual work with the sails!!

Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 8: Emirates Team NZ score comfortable victory over Desafío Español and move to finals

Adios Desafío Español! The Spanish America's Cup said adios to the 32nd edition of the event after succumbing to the powerful New Zealanders in the seventh and final match of the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals.

Today's conditions were testing for both the boats and the crews with winds reaching 20 knots and waves almost 1.5 meters. The New Zealanders seemed to be in command and helmsman Dean Barker won the race before it even started with his aggressive prestart. He managed to push Desafío Español way beyond the right-hand corner of the prestart box and after tacking powered ahead to starting line. Both boats were late at the start but that was meaningless for the kiwis as Desafío Español was trailing them by 14 seconds.

With that initial lead in the pocket, Emirates Team NZ had little to worry about. Not only did they lead throughout the race, they extended their lead in every mark. Although the kiwis avoided pushing the boat too hard - they had no reason after all - their speed was superior to the Spanish. Finally they crossed the finish line 1:28 minutes ahead of ESP-97 and secured their place to the Louis Vuitton Cup final. They will have to face Luna Rossa starting June 1st.

Prestart of the race between Desafío Español and Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español were cornered by Emirates Team NZ beyond the right-hand corner of the start box. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Dean Barker decides to tack away and Emirates Team NZ rush to the start line. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ power ahead the start line. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The race is over right after it starts. The Spanish team cross the start line 10 seconds after Emirates Team NZ. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The right side being the favored one, both boats chose to go that way. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español's ESP-97 struggling upwind. At some stage the crew had to use buckets to throw out all the water coming in. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Halfway down the first downwind leg Emirates Team NZ had extended their lead. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ rounded the right buoy of the leeward gate and went to the right. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ and Desafío Español at the leeward gate. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español went to the right as well. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

In the last stretch of the race Emirates Team NZ had increased their lead to 500 meters. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ cross the finish line, win the match and the semifinal. Valencia, 23 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 8: Preview - Match Point 2 (again..)

Good morning from cloudy and rainy Valencia. It isn't as windy as yesterday but rough seas could once again hinder the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals. You can always check our real-time meteorological station by clicking on the banner at the right-hand column of the website. It's located on the rooftop of the Desafío Español base and certainly doesn't reflect weather patterns at the race course but it serves as a useful guide.

Still, looking at the Alinghi base, it seems that both SUI-91 and SUI-100 are being lowered into the sea and it looks as if the Defender will train off Valencia's coast. This is also used as an indication of whether there will be racing or no by the media troops.

Desafío Español will once again try to win a race against Emirates Team NZ in the semifinals. According to Alinghi's managing director Grant Simmer, the Spanish team can easily be considered as the success story of the 32nd America's Cup. As we have repeatedly stated it will be a very difficult task for the Spanish but any victory will come as an incredible bonus to the young team.

Weather forecast
According to the official weather forecast, a low pressure system in southern Spain continues to drive northeasterly gradient breeze. Winds are expected to be in the range of 16 to 18 knots, decreasing to 14-16 knots and veering slightly to east northeast. Most importantly, the sea state will be characterized by a 1-metre swell once breeze decreases. It is overcast and there is a risk of rain. It's slightly warmer that yesterday with maximum temperature reaching 22 degrees.

Here is the forecast by Chris Bedford, BMW Oracle meteorologist, as always, courtesy of the BMW Oracle Blog.

Alinghi's Grant Simmer talks to Valencia Sailing

On Tuesday morning we visited the Alinghi base and talked to Grant Simmer, managing director of the 32nd America's Cup Defender. This time around we didn't inquire in depth on the Swiss team's ongoing preparation for the America's Cup match in a month from now but were curious to learn Simmer's view on the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinalists and his take on the two potential challengers.

Valencia Sailing: What is your view on the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals? Are you surprised by the results? Did you expect to see BMW Oracle go down 5-1?
Grant Simmer: No, I didn't expect it and I was really surprised. It's just sad that such a strong team with so much talent gets eliminated from the event but this is exactly the event's nature. When Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle went in there, one of them was going to be eliminated. Both were extremely strong teams but I was surprised it happened so quickly and so definitively for Luna Rossa. On the other hand, Luna Rossa sailed extremely well, their sailing team did an excellent job. They were smart, crew work was impeccable and as Chris Dickson said they took BMW Oracle by surprise, they underestimated their opponent.

Valencia Sailing: So, was it an issue of Luna Rossa doing an excellent work rather than BMW Oracle failing?
Grant Simmer: Clearly Luna Rossa did an extremely good work but I think BMW Oracle were a little surprised by that and couldn't or didn't or it was too late to react. It wasn't what they had anticipated and it appears they were shocked by it and couldn't react fast enough. Frankly, I look at that and think, "God, I hope it doesn't happen to us". You know we are a strong team, just like BMW Oracle, and when you see how easy it was for it to happen, it's scary. It's a valuable lesson for us. When things go wrong and not as expected you should be strong to react in the little time you have remaining.

Valencia Sailing: Could the fact Chris Dickson was the team's CEO, skipper and helmsman negatively affect the team?
Grant Simmer: It's not the model we have in our team. I obviously don't sail on the boat and Brad and I work together. Especially in this period, just a month before the America's Cup I try to protect Brad from all the other issues of the team.

Valencia Sailing: What about the other semifinal? Are you surprised to see Desafío Español winning two races against Emirates Team NZ?
Grant Simmer: I think that at least they had the potential to take a couple of races. Now if you ask me whether they could win the semifinal, I think their chances are pretty low, especially considering they have to win three consecutive matches while the New Zealanders need only one. It's fabulous though for a young team, basically a new one, to get to a level comparable to that of a very strong team. Emirates Team NZ haven't been sailing badly, they have been sailing very well and we all know there is an incredible depth and experience in them. As a result, all the credit goes to Desafío Español for being able to get to that level in the time they had available. As I said, I find it extremely difficult for them to win three matches in a row, but imagine if the next race is a fluky one and then they only have two in a row.

I think Desafío Español have done well enough to secure the funding they will need for the next campaign and Agustín Zulueta has also stated they were almost sure to go again. I think they will grow into a good, mature team and Spain has been the success story of this event.

Valencia Sailing: Out of the four semifinalists who in your view has made the greatest improvement.
Grant Simmer: Luna Rossa is certainly peaking at the moment.

Valencia Sailing: Does this come as a surprise to you?
Grant Simmer: Yes, because they were considered the underdogs going into the semifinals against BMW Oracle. Even internally I think they saw themselves as the underdogs. The turning point might have been in the second race when they lost due to the big separation in the last leg, after leading comfortably throughout. They probably realized it wasn't lost for them, on the contrary. They changed the boat from the unveiling, they have a different appendage package although compared to BMW Oracle, they never looked either particularly faster or slower. One thing there was a great improvement though, was the start. James Spithill was getting stronger at every start.

Valencia Sailing: I suppose both Ed Baird and Peter Holmberg are analyzing Spithill's starts against BMW Oracle.
Grant Simmer: Of course, we are analyzing the potential challengers and it's part of our job to do exactly that. Both Ed and Peter are good starters, we have been doing a great number of prestarts and their level now is very high.

Valencia Sailing: If it comes down to Luna Rossa and Emirates Team NZ who could be, in your view and from what you have seen so far, the potential challenger?
Grant Simmer: It's really tough to call that but whoever wins it's also going to be a tough opponent for us. We are really going to battle hard when we meet them. The level of the challengers has increased substantially. In the 1970's and early 80's you always had a couple of strong defenders who will be racing off themselves while the challengers where weak competition. So when they ultimately made it to the America's Cup the defender would slaughter them, the Americans would kill them. It has changed now, with only one defender and the challengers battling it out. In 2000, Team New Zealand did a fantastic job in preparing themselves to take on Luna Rossa, being really stronger than all the challengers. In 2003, Alinghi came through the Louis Vuitton Cup but I don't think we were particularly faster than Team New Zealand, we were more race-ready. You only reach that stage through more practice.

One thing Luna Rossa is certainly benefiting from right now, is the huge amount of pride, having won the semifinal. That is something that motivates all teams. Every time you win a race you get a boost. For us, winning Louis Vuitton Act 13 resulted in a huge positive feeling. We went against all challengers and we beat them. Today, Desafío Español will be really motivated by the fact they won the last race. That alone might be an excellent reason to win the next one. When we were a challenger in Auckland and won a lot of races in the Louis Vuitton Cup, that kept us motivated. Winning is contagious, you love it. The more you win the stronger you feel. As a result, we didn't feel scared when we went to the America's Cup against the kiwis, we felt good and were ready for them.

Valencia Sailing: Based on this statement, I suppose you think there is no sandbagging in the America's Cup.
Grant Simmer: I don't think so. There might have been some fiddling around, probably in Act 13. Don't forget BMW Oracle and Emirates Team NZ didn't use their newest boats. On the other hand, if you ask BMW Oracle now whether in hindsight it was the right decision they might question it.

Valencia Sailing: I was also referring to your team, particularly in Act 13. As you said yourself Ed Baird is an excellent starter, and we surely all agree, but his starts in the last fleet race were often substandard or even bad.
Grant Simmer: There was no intention whatsoever in those bad starts. Don't forget either that fleet racing starts are completely different form match racing ones. Obviously we weren't showing everything we had but nor did Emirates Team NZ or BMW Oracle.

Valencia Sailing: If you are given the opportunity, would you train with BMW Oracle before the America's Cup?
Grant Simmer: I haven't had any discussion with them on that issue but we would definitely consider it if we were offered. Absolutely.

Valencia Sailing: Have you made any decision on the boat and helmsman for the America's Cup match?
Grant Simmer: No, it's too early for that. The internal competition is very good for us and we are constantly developing our two boats.

Valencia Sailing: Does this development also include a canting keel?
Grant Simmer: [Laughs] No!

Valencia Sailing: My final question concerns your boat SUI-75 that Team Origin acquired yesterday. Can you give us more details on this issue?
Grant Simmer: [Laughs] I obviously can't tell you the price! On the other hand I can tell that we didn't negotiate long at all. They are really good people to deal with. I know both Mike Sunders and Keith Mills and when they contacted us asking whether the boat was on sale, we said "sure". We spent a little bit of time negotiating and the boat will be delivered after the America's Cup. That's a good thing because it will not distract us with getting it ready now. We'll do that in July. We also had interest from an additional two teams, one of them currently in Valencia in this America's Cup, the other being a potential one for the next Cup. I think the British are very serious and are putting together a strong team. Again, this is great for the event.

Louis Vuitton Cup - Semifinals - Day 7: Preview - Match Point 2

Update 12:30pm: Dyer Jones, the America's Cup regatta director, just decided to cancel all racing for Tuesday. Later this afternoon, check our interesting interview of Grant Simmer, Alinghi's managing director.

Good morning from cloudy, rainy and extremely windy Valencia. It's another match point day in the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals but, unfortunately once again, the weather is not on our side. As we are writing this (11:30 am) the race has been postponed ashore. Wind is blowing at close to 15-20 knots but the main problem are the waves!!! Even inside the Port America's Cup it's not as calm as usual and if boats had to be towed out right now they wouldn't even make it out of the canal.

If racing takes place, Desafío Español will try to capitalize on Sunday's win against Emirates Team NZ and continue their excellent performance in the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals. Obviously, it will not be easy but one shouldn't forget that this semifinal goes on, against conventional wisdom, when the other one, facing Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle, finished much earlier than expected.

Luna Rossa are relaxing today, at least their sailors. Both their boats are inside the shed, behind closed doors, probably undergoing further modifications and improvements. The Italians must further improve in order to face the kiwis in the finals.

Last but not least, we had the opportunity to visit the Alinghi base and talk to the men of the Defender in order to learn their view on the Louis Vuitton Cup semifinals. Grant Simmer, Alinghi's managing director, gave a very interesting interview and I'll publish it today if there is no racing or tomorrow morning if there is.