Meanwhile in Valencia.. Four teams are ready for the Desafío Trophy

What a difference a day makes. While Port America's Cup looked haunted yesterday afternoon, it was buzzing with activity on Monday. All 4 teams that were officially announced, or rumored, to take part in the 2nd edition of the Desafío Trophy were very busy preparing their yachts.

AlinghiThe Defender stepped the mast on SUI-100, the 32nd America's Cup winner, on Monday morning. The first sail should be on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Alinghi base with SUI-100 already masted. Valencia, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The Alinghi base with SUI-100 already masted. Valencia, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

DesafíoESP-97, together with ESP-88, was already on the water when we took the pictures. We don't know whether they went out for a test sail but the first official training session will take place tomorrow Tuesday at 10:30am.

ESP-97 being prepared by Desafío's shore crew. Valencia, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team OriginThe shore crew of the British America's Cup challenger has been in Valencia since a couple of days and today they took ESP-88 for a test sail at around 5pm. While the Spanish America's Cup yacht was being towed out of the canal we spotted Andy Claughton, Design Coordinator, Stan Honey, Technical Director, and Mickey Ickert, Aero Director, together with 3-4 Desafío members.

ESP-88 taken for a test sail with Andy Claughton, Stan Honey and Mickey Ickert from Team Origin. Valencia, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ESP-88 taken for a test sail with Andy Claughton, Stan Honey and Mickey Ickert from Team Origin. Valencia, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna RossaWe had expressed our doubts but it appears our information was indeed correct. Luna Rossa will participate in the 2nd edition of the Desafío Trophy with its latest America's Cup yacht, ITA-94. The Italian team's shore crew stepped the mast today and the first splash is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The Luna Rossa with ITA-94 already masted. Valencia, 3 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing