BMW Oracle's USA 17 sails for the first time in Valencia

Amazing, spectacular. These two words would suffice in order to describe the first sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 today in Valencia. Not only that, this is the first, and certainly last, time one gets the chance to watch the world's two most spectacular multihulls sailing in one's own back yard, well sort of. BMW Oracle's trimaran took her maiden sail on Tuesday afternoon, renamed from BOR 90 to USA, and since that was the name designated in BMW Oracle's challenge, it will come as no surprise that she will be the yacht to race Alinghi 5 in three weeks.

Conditions were, unfortunately, really poor today in Valencia. It was cold, foggy and the breeze peaked at 7 knots. In, addition the America's Cup challenger's schedule was also modified due to their base being inside the commercial port. While initially scheduled at 12:30pm, dock out didn't take place before 2pm as the crew had to wait for their turn to exit the busy port.

Despite the very light breeze, match racing maestro James Spithill gently squeezed the giant trimaran up to 22 knots of speed, sailing with just the wing sail. Similar to the boat speeds I reported during Alinghi's first sail, this measurement comes from my very unscientific observation of the tender's speed as we kept alongside USA-17 for about a minute. I counted 12 people on USA-17 but it appears the crew during the 33rd America's Cup match will be around 8. According to BMW Oracle, this sail was supposed to be a test and as result the crew only briefly hoisted the gennaker.

The maiden test didn't last more than two and a half hours, since BMW Oracle held a small official flag-raising ceremony with the mayor of Valencia and the president of the region, just like Alinghi did on Friday. The two politicians received a nice SLAM jacket from Russell Coutts, raised the Valencian and US flags on the pole and then expressed their reciprocal satisfaction in being the hosts and guests in Valencia. Let's only hope that we do have the two beasts race here in less than three weeks.

Wednesday will be a very difficult day for the two teams. The weather forecast calls for a front approaching Valencia, bringing strong breezes that could well reach 40 knots. As a precautionary measure, BMW Oracle's shore crew took the wing sail off the yacht and the training program will most probably start on Thursday.

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Jimmy Spithill flies at more than 20 knots of speed. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Certainly not one of the most beautiful pictures but it clearly puts in evidence the canting mast that can tilt up to 15 degrees. The main idea of the canting mast is to keep it perpendicular to the water. When the yacht heels a lot to get the main hull out of the water, a vertical rig is more efficient because it keeps the maximum projected sail surface. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

First sail of BMW Oracle's USA-17 on Valencian waters. Valencia, 19 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle launches BOR 90 in Valencia

BMW Oracle launched their giant trimaran BOR 90 on Saturday morning, a day after Alinghi's first sail in Valencia. Unfortunately, due to the strict restrictions and controls at the entrance of the commercial port, it is practically impossible for the media to have a look at BOR 90, even from a distance.

As a result, we will have to rely on what Peter Rusch is reporting in the excellent BMW Oracle Blog. So, according to Peter, after the boat was launched in the morning, "gusty winds made stepping the mast a tricky proposition for much of the day. But late in the afternoon, the shore team was able to complete their work. Load testing is scheduled for Sunday."

BMW Oracle launches BOR 90. Valencia, 16 January 2010. Video copyright BMW Oracle

Alinghi and BMW Oracle ready to unload their giant multihulls

It has been a historic, albeit very wet day, in Valencia. The world's two most advanced giant multihulls were inside Valencia's commercial port onboard their respective cargo ship, just a few hundred meters apart, BMW Oracle's just in front of their temporary base while Alinghi's was at the opposite pier.

We visited the port at 6pm but we were unable to go close to Alinghi 5. For the details and pictures you can read the official press release, where the Defender states that Alinghi 5 will be transported to its base inside Port America's Cup. Without any doubt this will be a great sight.

As far as BOR 90 was concerned, the hull and a couple of containers were still on the cargo ship. I don't know whether the Challenger's shore crew was behind schedule but without any doubt the constant rain that has been falling for the last 18 hours was of no help. It is also very probable that by the time you read this, the team will have sent photos of the giant trimaran on safe ground.

Further north, inside the Port America's Cup it is more than evident that both teams are about to start their preparation towards the match at full pace. Eight of Alinghi's nine weather speedboats are docked in front of the base while at BMW Oracle the two Extreme 40's seem ready for action. I guess it's a matter of days before Jimmy Spithill et al start practicing on them.

Stay tuned for a very interesting series of articles on the details of this America's Cup match, starting Tuesday.

Eight of Alinghi's nine weather speedboats. Valencia, 4 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BOR 90 ready to be unloaded. Valencia, 4 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

The two Extreme 40's are ready for action. Valencia, 4 January 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's BOR 90 arrives safely in Valencia

A few hours after Alinghi it was BMW Oracle's turn to arrive in Valencia, the venue of the 33rd America's Cup match. Unfortunately, the operation took place in the early hours of Monday morning and as a result we couldn't be present or take a historic picture of the two giant multihulls onboard their cargo ships side by side waiting to enter Valencia's commercial port. According to the BMW Oracle blog, she arrived at 4am. The crane that will be used for the unloading arrived at 7am and unloading is scheduled to take place later in the morning, an operation that will depend on weather conditions.

After a couple of days of spring-like weather, winter returned to Valencia as a cold front is fast approaching. It has been raining since late Sunday night and wind is expected to pick up later on Monday. As a result, the delicate operation of unloading BOR 90 and especially her wing might be delayed.

BMW Oracle's BOR 90 safely docks in. Valencia, 4 January 2010. Video copyright BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's BOR 90 safely docks in. Valencia, 4 January 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's BOR 90 safely docks in. Valencia, 4 January 2010. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

Video: CNN Mainsail goes onboard BMW Oracle's BOR 90

CNN Mainsail goes onboard BMW Oracle's BOR 90. Video copyright CNN Mainsail

Video: BMW Oracle ships out to Valencia

Here's another excellent video produced by John von Seeburg and Rick Deppe, this time capturing all the action in San Diego. It's strange though that the BMW Oracle base in Valencia is very quiet and there are no apparent signs of any preparation for the upcoming race...

BMW Oracle ships out to Valencia. San Diego, 15 December 2009. Video copyright BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle loads BOR 90 on cargo ship to Valencia

[Source: BMW Oracle] On Friday afternoon in San Diego, BMW ORACLE Racing loaded its trimaran, the BOR 90, on board a cargo ship for transport to Valencia, the venue for the 33rd America's Cup Match.

BMW ORACLE Racing has been based in San Diego for nearly 16 months, where the team has been training and testing in preparation for the Match. Here, the BOR 90 has undergone several refinements and modifications as a result of the testing programme, including the unveiling of a giant wing sail.

The packing and loading schedule has been intense - time is at a premium with the first race of the America's Cup scheduled for February 8, 2010, less than two months from today.

BOR 90 loaded on cargo ship to be transported to Valencia. San Diego, 11 December 2009. Photo copyright Dale Frost / Port of San Diego

Thus, the packing of the base and the loading of the cargo ship has been planned meticulously.

"Everything has been staged on two barges to be shuttled from the base to the cargo ship," explains Scott Sandford (NZL), who has been directing the operation. "The boat platform itself was picked up with a floating crane and travelled suspended in the air to the ship."

It was a smooth process on Friday. In fact, the loading of the platform onto the ship took place ahead of schedule. The packing and loading will continue on Saturday.

BOR 90 loaded on cargo ship to be transported to Valencia. San Diego, 11 December 2009. Photo copyright Dale Frost / Port of San Diego

Video: Munich BMW Technology Workshop Trailer

Promo trailer for the BMW Technology Workshop. Munich, 8 December 2009. Video copyright BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle starts packing up in order to head to Valencia

The countdown to the 33rd America's Cup has started, at least as far as BMW Oracle is concerned. The Challenger of Record started this Saturday morning their disassembly operations by taking the big wing off the BOR 90 yacht.

Tom Ehman, the team's head of External Affairs and spokesman of the challenging yacht club, Golden Gate Yacht Club, was there, shooting the complex operation that required two cranes. According to Ehman, after the shore crew finishes packing up the yacht, they will ship her to Valencia, even if we still await the decision of the Appellate Division on whether Ras Al-Khaimah is a legitimate venue for a race in February.

BMW Oracle's shore crew takes the wing off BOR90. San Diego, 28 November 2009. Video copyright Tom Ehman

Flying the wing

Without any doubt, the newly created BMW Oracle blog and their YouTube channel are truly spoiling us with the amount of multimedia content they produce on an almost daily basis.

So, here's another video where "Kiki" Karcher, a former Alinghi grinder, becomes our guide while we follow BOR90's test sailing sessions inside the San Diego bay. If one is to believe Kiki's words, BOR 90 can fly with a mere 6 knots of wind and can tack and gybe like a dinghy. Unfortunately it needs no grinders any more. What a shame...

Video: Second day of wing sailing from BMW Oracle's BOR 90

Video: BMW Oracle debuts wing sail on BOR 90

BMW Oracle Debuts Wing Sail in San Diego

[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW ORACLE Racing, the American Challenger of Record for the 33rd America’s Cup, today installed an almost 190-foot airplane-like hard wing sail and completed the first short test sail of the team’s latest technology on San Diego Bay.

A wing of this scale has never been built for a boat. In terms of size, the wing on the BOR 90 dwarfs those on modern aircraft. Towering nearly 190 ft (57 m) above the deck, it is nearly 80 percent bigger than a wing on a 747 airplane (102 ft / 31 m).
“This is just an amazing moment,” said James Spithill (AUS), helmsman, BMW ORACLE Racing. “As sailors, we’re just very excited to try this out. We can’t thank the guys on the build and shore teams enough as they’ve put in a massive effort to get this ready for us.”

BOR 90 sails with her wing. San Diego, 10 November 2009. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

“This was a colossal undertaking,” said Tim Smyth (NZL), who, along with Mark Turner (NZL), oversaw the wing construction team in Anacortes and in San Diego.

“Building a wing of this size was something new for all of us, and we’re proud our guys were able to rise to the challenge.”

The wing was attached to the BOR 90 trimaran for the first time today. The wing sail was first unveiled on Sunday evening, when the assembly tent on site at the team base in San Diego was opened up for the first time. After a day of load testing, it was installed on the boat platform early this morning.

BOR 90 sails with her wing. San Diego, 10 November 2009. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

The initial testing sessions will consist of gently working up the loads on the boat and wing as the sailors become familiar with the new system.

Full-scale testing of the cutting-edge rig will continue over the coming weeks as BMW ORACLE Racing prepares to face Alinghi in the 33rd America’s Cup Match.

Video: Core Builders hands wing sail over to BMW Oracle sailors

Video: BMW Oracle reveals wing sail

BMW Oracle reveals wing sail. San Diego, 8 November 2009. Video copyright BMW Oracle

Video: BMW Oracle's BOR90 flying in San Diego

Here's a very short (less than 30 seconds) but cool video of BMW Oracle's BOR90, literally flying last Friday on the Pacific Ocean, off San Diego, courtesy of the Challenger's brand new blog. With all the money they have, it was about time Larry Ellison's team used some 21st-century communication tools.

BMW Oracle's BOR90 sailing. San Diego, 30 October 2009. Video copyright BMW Oracle Blog

Video: BMW Oracle's BOR90 sails again

BMW Oracle's BOR90 sails again. San Diego, 29 October 2009. Video copyright BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's BOR 90 sets sail again

[Source: BMW Oracle] The BMW ORACLE Racing team took to the water on Thursday to resume testing ahead of the 33rd America's Cup.

The BOR 90 was at sea for nearly six hours in its first testing session since undergoing significant modifications. Now equipped with an engine to drive the on board hydraulic systems, the boat sails with less crew than before, as the grinders who previously provided the horsepower on the boat stay ashore.

This first sailing session was primarily an extension of the shoreside tests that have been ongoing since the boat returned to the water on Sunday evening. Various sails were raised and lowered and all on board systems were checked.

BMW Oracle's BOR 90 sets sail again. San Diego, 29 October 2009. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

The final hour on the water saw a the team begin to stretch their legs with a long beat up the coast to Point Loma in generally light conditions although a long, rolling Pacific swell was left over from windy conditions on Wednesday.

"It was a good day," said helmsman Jimmy Spithill. "We ticked some things off the checklist and made some good progress. It's great for the team to be sailing again. It's such an awesome boat to sail that I just can't wait to get out there again tomorrow."

On the water testing continues on Friday.

Meanwhile in San Diego...

Related PDF Documents

- Transcript of the NY Court Hearing, 27 October 2009

There is no doubt there must be a lot of smiling faces in San Diego after the decisive win in the NY Supreme Court on Tuesday on the issue of next year's America's Cup venue. Yet, the America's Cup is not only the legal shenanigans we've been used to in the last 2 years. It is also supposed to represent the cutting edge of sailing technology. According to Russell Coutts' statement earlier today, "there are further technical developments in the pipeline" for BOR90 that make them "very excited about".

Our friend in San Diego, Goli, managed to get a sneak picture of what could be one of those "technical developments", in particular the long-rumored hard wing for BMW Oracle's challenging yacht, or is it some simple white table? Time will tell...

For all those, really interested in all the legal details of the 33rd America's Cup we post the transcript of Tuesday's hearing in front of Justice Kornreich.

BOR90's rumored wing? San Diego, 27 October 2009. Photo copyright Goli

BMW Oracle's BOR90 relaunched

[Source: BMW Oracle] On Sunday afternoon, the BOR 90 returned to its natural habitat as it was lifted by crane from its workspace into the harbour.

It's been nearly five weeks since the trimaran was last on the water as the BMW ORACLE Racing team shifted into modification mode. The work onshore has been intense and required a full commitment from the boatbuilding team, supervised by Mark A. Turner (NZL).

"These last five weeks have seen some very long hours from these guys, as we've had a lot of things to achieve. It's really come together over the last few days so it's big credit to everybody involved," Turner said.

Much of this round of work was necessitated by the Defender issuing a change in the Rules for the 33rd America's Cup that will now allow the use of engines to assist in trimming the sails. The power provided by the engine will replace power normally provided by the human power plants on board sailboats - the grinders. The addition of the engine has thus had a repercussion on the deck plan and layout, as the grinders will no longer be on board.

The newly-modified BOR90 hits the water. San Diego, 25 October 2009. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

"There has been a major deck modification and there's the new engine installation to drive the winches with hydraulics, and a series of other changes. So it's been a long list of tasks to be completed in quite a short timeframe," he added.

The BOR 90 will now undergo a series of tests dockside before on the water testing resumes later this week.

For Turner's team, there is no rest on the horizon. Further major developments to the boat are planned in the coming weeks as the team ramps up preparations for the America’s Cup Match in February.

“Big gains are available and they require massive amounts of work from the design, build and shore teams,” Turner continued.

"But we're checking things off the list and sorting everything out one step at a time and moving forward. It's all about the completing each task at hand and moving on to the next one."