The iShares Cup is in town

While one Cup is in limbo here in Valencia, another one visited the city for the first time ever. The iShares Cup held this weekend their first ever event in the host city of the America's Cup, even if it was officially called a training regatta.

The iShares Cup is a circuit of five European events, raced aboard the Extreme 40 catamarans. This year, nine teams will participate in the circuit and without any doubt the spotlight will be on newcomers Alinghi as well as British America's Cup challenger Team Origin.

A total of five boats took part in the three-day official training event that took place from Friday to Sunday. The Defender of the 33rd America's Cup entered two teams, Alinghi White and Alinghi Black, that were joined by Holmatro, iShares and Volvo Ocean Race. Alinghi White's crew was Ed Baird (helmsman), Rodney Ardern (mainsail), Lorenzo Mazza (trimmer), Piet van Nieuwenhuyzen (bowman) and Peter Evans (5th man). Alinghi Black's crew was Murray Jones (helmsman), Warwick Fleury (mainsail), Nils Frei (trimmer), Jan Dekker (bowman) and Pierre-Yves Jorand (5th man).

The race committee was able to start 4 races on Friday but on Saturday, only one race took place, as the same storm that hit the TP52's in Alicante forced the Extreme 40 yachts to return to their bases.

Valencia Sailing followed the practice on Sunday when the Extreme 40 fleet raced five times. There were four windward/leeward races as well as a triangular one. The first three were held in very light conditions, with the wind never getting over 3-4 knots. The last two were sailed in a stronger breeze, thanks to the huge cloud formations hovering over the city of Valencia. Fortunately, the storm came a couple of hours later, giving us the opportunity to watch a little bit more action but still nothing to write home about.

Given the light conditions, the race course was shortened significantly to approximately half a mile, making the windward/leeward races a matter of 1-2 tacks and 1-2 gybes. As far as the results are concerned, they were a sheer formality. As it was expected both Defender boats easily prevailed in the 10 races of the event, with Baird winning 8 times and Jones twice. Despite this enormous advantage, the Defender of the America's Cup will need all the training hours it can get in multihull racing.

Most of the pictures are from the last two races, especially the very last one when the breeze had picked up. Finally, I will add a personal observation from the photo shooting process. No matter where the 33rd America's Cup takes place, the moment the breeze picks up, the organizers will need to borrow some VERY fast boats from the local coast guard or navy if they want to be able just to keep pace with the two yachts.

The Extreme 40 boat Volvo Ocean Race was christened on Sunday morning before the start of the races. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet inside Port America's Cup before the races. In a light wind day there is no reason why a match race couldn't be held inside the basin. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The iShares boat, maneuvering inside the canal, in front of the Veles e Vents building. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Hopefully, in the future, we will be seeing these boats more often here in Valencia. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet trains in Valencia for the first time ever. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet trains in Valencia for the first time ever. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet trains in Valencia for the first time ever. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet trains in Valencia for the first time ever. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet trains in Valencia for the first time ever. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Extreme 40 fleet trains in Valencia for the first time ever. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird and Alinghi White sailing to another victory. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird and Alinghi White sailing to another victory. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird and Alinghi White sailing to another victory. Valencia, 18 May 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing