Team Origin and Desafío train together in Valencia

With the 2nd edition of the Desafío Trophy starting in 2 days, all four participating teams spent the day training on Valencia's waters. Given the fact Team Origin, the UK America's Cup challenger, will be racing ESP-88, Desafío's second boat, the two teams decided to train against each other. The day started very slowly, with the breeze barely reaching 4 knots but after 3 pm a nice northeasterly of 9-10 knots kicked in and gave the two America's Cup challengers the opportunity to carry out a couple of windward-leeward practice races.

Although the entire sailing crew of Team Origin is not in Valencia, this was a first opportunity for them to get the team together and practice after many months of inactivity, at least as far as the America's Cup is concerned. The yacht was helmed by 3-time Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie while another Olympic champion, Iain Percy, was calling tactics. On the Spanish side there was no change from yesterday, Paul Cayard is in the British Virgin Islands and Laureano Wizner took over the helm.

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Origin and Desafío train together. Valencia, 5 November 2008. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing