First training session of the Trophée Clairefontaine

The 8 champions and their crews taking part in this year's edition of the Trophée Clairefontaine took possession of their boats and carried out their first test and training session, inside Port America's Cup Port in Valencia.

Wind conditions during the training session could be defined as acceptable. Throughout the morning, a constant and quite strong breeze was blowing throughout the America's Cup race course as well as inside Port America's Cup. Unfortunately, training started a little bit late, we suppose later than what was initially planned. The 8 boats docked out past 5:30pm and at that time the thermal breeze usually has already started to die down and there the was probably 6-7 knots of wind.

There is no doubt that racing will be spectacular once the breeze kicks in. One shouldn't forget that the race course is right inside the basin and yachts have to sail two legs (one upwind and one downwind) inside the canal, meaning that at times they get extremely close to its edges, as seen in the photos. Let's say, I could have almost grabbed Ed Baird's helm if I wanted!!

Friday will be another training day, this time an official one. Actual racing takes place on Saturday and Sunday and with the exception of a 30-minute race just off the Malvarosa beach, the action will be inside the America's Cup basin.

The 8 champions getting ready for their first training session. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird's "Alinghi Black" heads off to the race area passing in front of the BMW Oracle base. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The "Alinghi Red" boat, helmed by Luc Dubois. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Michel Desjoyeaux, famous French sailor and winner of last year's Trophée Clairefontaine. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Part of the fleet inside Port America's Cup. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

French sailor Loïck Peyron sailing inside the canal. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sailing downwind inside the canal. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Sailing inside the canal. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Nicolas Charbonnier and his crew during a gybe. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Ed Baird, Rodney Ardern and Piet van Nieuwenhuijzen aboard Alinghi Black. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Last but certainly not least in the grand scheme of things. Alinghi are using their "Le Black" 41ft catamaran in Valencia in order to experiment on multihulls. Unfortunately, given the distance it was impossible to distinguish who was on the yacht. Valencia, 11 September 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing