Alinghi present sailing & design team in Valencia

Sorry for the delay in updates today, but the Defender of the 33rd America's Cup is making a day long presentation in Valencia. Our full report will be online late on Thursday or early morning Friday.

If we could sum up in a few words the day's most essential news, it would be that Alinghi is in the final stages of the design process and construction of the yacht to defend the America's Cup can start any day now. This is of course under the assumption, as the Swiss have always insisted, that the race takes place after May 2009.

From left, Lorenzo Mazza, Rodney Ardern and Ed Baird aboard Alinghi's white Extreme 40 catamaran, match racing against the black yacht, helmed by Murray Jones. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird (left) and Rodney Ardern aboard Alinghi's white Extreme 40 catamaran, match racing against the black yacht, helmed by Murray Jones. Valencia, 24 April 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing