Iberdrola Team maiden appearance in Valencia

It could be considered an irony, but exactly 2 years after being accepted by Alinghi as Challenger of Record fro the 33rd America's Cup, the now-defunct Desafío makes its first appearance as Iberdorla Team.

Spain's main in-shore racing team is taking part in the Trofeo Reina, organized by Valencia's yacht club, with two different boats, a GP42 and a Platu 25. The GP42 yacht, crewed by the usual sailing team, raced for the first time today. Given the absence of any other GP42 yacht in the regatta there wasn't a separate class but the green boat sailed with another 5 boats in a Spanish IRC derivative.

Iberdrola Team make their first appearance after Desafío was dissolved. Valencia, 3 July 2009. Photo copyright Nico Martinez