Meanwhile in Valencia...

It's been a long time we haven't reported from Port America's Cup and in view of the upcoming 2nd edition of the Desafío Trophy, Valencia Sailing visited the basin in order to check up on the latest activity. Two teams have publicly announced their participation, Desafío and Alinghi, and it is rumored Luna Rossa could also join.

AlinghiThe Defender of the 33rd America's Cup has made public its participation in the Desafío Trophy and according to their website, they are preparing SUI-100 for that purpose. We couldn't see anything from outside today but this could also be due to the rainy weather. The boatshed door was three quarters down.

The Alinghi base. According to the Swiss team their shore crew is preparing SUI-100 to race in the Desafío Trophy. Valencia, 28 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

DesafíoDesafío's was the only base with some considerable activity. In fact the Spanish team's shore crew took one the 2 ACC boats, obviously to fit her out for the Trophy that bears their name. According to their press release, Desafío will race ESP-97.

Desafío's shore crew preparing the yachts for the II Desafío Trophy. Valencia, 28 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna RossaThe Italian team hasn't made any public announcement concerning their involvement in the Trophy but we have heard rumors about Peter Holmberg helming the yacht and Andy Horton calling tactics, at least for the 2 days the event lasts here in Valencia. One thing is for sure though, there is some activity going on in the base, following a hiatus of almost a year. One of the team's ACC yachts was visible but there wasn't any sign of shore crew working on her. Still, the base could have been reopened in order to prepare for the arrival of Patrizio Bertelli's brand new STP-65 Luna Rossa, expected in Valencia during the first week of December.

The Luna Rossa base, open and with some activity after a very long time. Valencia, 28 October 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing