Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in Valencia (part II)

When one reads a press release from almost any race in any part of the world racing is always "close", "exciting", "breathtaking" or "thrilling" while conditions are always "beautiful", "glorious" or "near perfect" even when there is 5-6 knots of wind.

Today I had the opportunity and pleasure to follow from very close (aboard the umpire tender) the 3rd day of training between Azzurra and Luna Rossa. The two Italian teams are here for the week, preparing for the upcoming Louis Vuitton regatta in La Maddalena, Italy. I have to admit that racing, even if it was only practice, was indeed "exciting" but wind and weather conditions ranged from bad to nearly decent.

The weather really threw everything at the two teams today: Light winds (5-6 knots), sun, clouds, dense fog (or was it the volcanic ash from Iceland) that turned the committee boat invisible from the pin end before finally rewarding them with a nearly decent breeze of about 10 knots at 4pm.

Nevertheless, the two crews had a full day with so many pre-starts that I lost count after the 9th one and three full races. Racing was indeed so close that all 6 upwind legs were endless tacking duel and at no time did any of the teams get ahead by more than a boatlength, at most.

There is no doubt that the LV Trophy in La Maddalena will indeed provide "thrilling" races with BMW Oracle, Origin, Luna Rossa, Azzurra and Emirates Team NZ vying for the top spot.

Our coverage of the Italian training sessions will continue throughout the week.

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Azzurra and Luna Rossa train in view of the upcoming Louis Vuitton Trophy. Valencia, 21 April 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing