Friday, June 22, 2007

America's Cup Match - Day 0: Alinghi and Emirates Team NZ train for the last time before the Match

A couple of hours after Friday's press conferences, both the Defender and the Challenger of the 32nd America's Cup went out with their two boats for the last practice before the Match. At around 1:30pm local time, NZL-84 and NZL-92 of Emirates Team NZ were towed out of the port, followed by Alinghi's SUI-91 and SUI-100 a short time later.

The practice schedule of the teams was different and while Emirates Team NZ focused on practicing prestart procedures very close to the beach, Alinghi headed further north and from what we could observe it appeared they were in the midst of a full race. Given the considerable distance between the two teams we stayed and photographed the challenger in their last practice sessions before the Match.

We are obviously in no position to know the exact outcome of the starts but it appears there was a total of 4, apparently evenly split between the two boats. The main team was of course on NZL-92, helmed by Dean Barker, and NZL-84 was crewed by the so-called "B-Team" and helmed by Ben Ainslie. According to some of the photographers aboard the tender, it was the second consecutive day Emirates Team NZ was practicing prestarts.

The practice session started at around 2pm and lasted for approximately an hour. The sea breeze started with an intensity of 8 knots and built up to 12, moments before the two boats lowered their mainsails and headed back home. Unless the weather changes radically tomorrow, the first race of the America's Cup match will be sailed in acceptable conditions.

NZL-92 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 (front) and NZL-84 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 (front) and NZL-84 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 (front) and NZL-84 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 (front) and NZL-84 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

NZL-92 (front) and NZL-84 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Dean Barker and the rest of the NZL-92 crew, seemingly relaxed, are heading back to the base for the last time before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The stern of NZL-92 during the prestart practices, 24 hours before the start of the America's Cup Match. Valencia, 22 June 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

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