Meanwhile in Valencia... Team Container concludes fruitful training

Note: A small error slipped through earlier in the report. Marcus Wieser is the helmsman of the yacht while Karol Jablonski is calling tactics. Our apologies.

It was supposed be an exceptional photo and video opportunity for Valencia Sailing but unfortunately it turned out to be 20-minute ride from the Luna Rossa base to the end of the canal and back. Team Container's crew was scheduled to carry out their last training session in Valencia, in view of the busy season ahead, but the weather didn't allow it.

There was simply no breeze and the forecast was not encouraging at all. After delaying the dockout for more than an hour, the STP65 yacht was motored out of the canal but then became evident it made no sense to venture any further. Adding to that the huge swell, the crew decided to return to the Luna Rossa base. We will have to wait for another opportunity in order to shoot photos of Marcus Wieser on the helm of the German yacht.

Still, the overall results achieved by the team are very satisfactory. March being in general a tricky month to sail in Valencia, just 2 of the 15 days the team spent here were lost. The first one due to excessive winds (the day following Luna Rossa's incident) and the second one on Sunday.

Team Container's STP65 yacht will now go to Palma for the opening regatta of the International Maxi Association 2009 season, starting in two weeks. Racing in the Mini Maxi division she will face, among others, Luna Rossa's STP65 and the brand new 72-ft RAN II, owned by Skype's founder Niklas Zennstrom.

Team Container's STP65 last day of training was extremely short!!!! Valencia, 29 March 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Container's STP65 docked in the Luna Rossa base. Valencia, 29 March 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Team Container's STP65 docked in the Luna Rossa base. Valencia, 29 March 2009. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing