Meanwhile in Valencia... Damiani Italia and Shosholoza train in "polar" conditions

This is probably the closest we can get to "polar" conditions, at least for the taste of most Valencians. It's freezing and raining in Valencia while it's snowing 50 km from here and roads are closed. Yet, at least four America's Cup teams are training or are about to do so and probably a couple more are expected in the next few days, in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Pacific Series in Auckland.

We snapped the newly-formed Damiani Italia its way out of the canal while Shosholoza was already out on the water. Fortunately, the choppy seas off Valencia's coast forced the South African boat to come back in the canal in order to hoist the mainsail on more tranquil waters.

Luna Rossa's shore crew was putting the mast on ITA-94 while in the K-Challenge base FRA-93 was being fitted out as training is scheduled to start on Monday. Finally, the arrival of Greek Challenge is expected this weekend while it shouldn't be long before we see Alinghi's SUI-100 off the Malvarosa beach.

Damiani ItaliaDamiani Italia, the team skippered by Vasco Vascotto, helmed by Francesco Bruni and sponsored by Italian jewelers Damiani, went out today for their 2nd training session aboard Victory Challenge's SWE-73, the oldest of the two Swedish boats.

Damiani Italia is using Victory Challenge's SWE-73 to train. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Francesco Bruni is on the helm, Vasco Vascotto on the phone while there is a patchwork of logos from 32nd AC teams among the crew. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Damiani Italia is entirely crewed by, you guessed it, Italians. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ShosholozaThe South African boat had docked out earlier than the Italians but we got lucky. With the sea being very choppy they were forced to return to the canal in order to hoist the mainsail. It is interesting to notice that the crew is almost entirely Italian.

It's been a long time we haven't photographed RSA-83 in action. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza crew ready to hoist the mainsail. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Shosholoza's RSA-83 "disappears" on Valencia's choppy waters. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Luna RossaThe Italian team's shore crew was masting ITA-94 while we were there and from what we understand training could start as early as tomorrow. Around 40 people are expected to arrive in the base on Friday and Saturday.

Luna Rossa's shore crew masting ITA-94. Valencia, 9 January 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing