BMW Oracle has sights set on sailing new trimaran

[Source: BMW Oracle] The checklist for BMW ORACLE Racing 90 boat captain Bruno Laurent (FRA) is getting shorter as the team enters the final stages of preparation for the first sail early next week in Anacortes, WA.

“The first days we will go very easy,” said Laurent, one of helmsman Franck Cammas’ (FRA) long-time crew from the Groupama multihull program. “The first sail will be just one or two tacks and a check of all the systems.”

Sail trimmer Ross Halcrow (NZL), head of the sail program, is preparing the mainsail of 500 square meters (5,000 square feet) for loading onto the boat, signaling time to sail is getting close. “There is a great sense of excitement and anticipation to start sailing.”

Navigator Matteo Plazzi (ITA) has been working with the electronics and performance team to ensure all on board systems are in place. “We are excited to go and sail this boat,” Plazzi said. “For the first few days we will monitor closely to ensure loads don’t exceed predictions. We will be taking it slowly but it will be great to be sailing.”

The trimaran was launched on Monday from the boatyard where it was built in Anacortes, WA. Since then, the team has conducted an extensive regime of load tests dockside and continued installation of on board systems for sailing. Initial sea trials will take place on Puget Sound.

The brand new BMW Oracle trimaran undergoing structural tests. Anacortes, 26 August 2008. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle