Teams are shown the ropes on BMW Oracle's USA 87 and USA 98

[Source: BMW Oracle] The teams for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series are now in Auckland and to kick-off the regatta practice session among all the teams, BMW ORACLE Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand crew members ran an orientation and dockside walk-through of the four ACC class yachts that will be shared among the ten teams in the regatta that starts on Friday 30 January.

Grinders Joe Spooner (NZL) and Brian MacInnes (CAN) were part of the team that showed their competitors the onboard systems and set up of USA 98 and USA 87. The teams then took turns practicing on the four yachts this Saturday afternoon on a textbook New Zealand summer day.

The BMW Oracle crew shows newcomers Greek Challenge one of their 2 yachts. Auckland, 24 January 2009. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

BMW ORACLE Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand crews stayed ashore while the other teams tuned up with some practice racing on the Waitemata Harbour. It is a three-day holiday weekend in Auckland, with many boats expected on the Harbour over the weekend.

The four ACC yachts – Team New Zealand’s NZL 84 and 92 and BMW ORACLE Racing’s USA 87 and 98 – have been simplified for the LVPS, which will use a format of shared boats among the 10 competing teams.

The preparations for the LVPS will continue throughout this week. The other 8 competing teams - Luna Rossa (ITA), Team Shosholoza (RSA), K-Challenge (FRA), Damiani Italia Challenge (ITA), Greek Challenge (GRE), Team Origin (GBR), Alinghi (SUI) and China Team (CHN) – who did some ACC training earlier this month in Valencia, enjoyed their first day of practice in Auckland today.