BMW Oracle to loan USA-87 and USA-98 to LV Pacific Series

[Source: Louis Vuitton] The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series has doubled in size, with the addition of two race boats loaned by the BMW Oracle Racing team permitting an entry of 12 teams. Eleven teams have already entered the international match racing event and all but two have already paid entry fees. There is only one racing slot remaining.

“Thanks to the kind offer of BMW Oracle to lend two fully-equipped race boats we are able to expand the entry list to 12 boats,” said Louis Vuitton spokesman Bruno Troublé.

The two yachts, USA 87 and USA 98 will be shipped from Valencia, Spain to Auckland, New Zealand where the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series will take place from January 31 to February 14, 2009. The American boats will join the Emirates Team New Zealand yachts NZL 92 and NZL 84 to provide two pairs of boats for match racing. Troublé said that the Italian team Mascalzone Latino had also spontaneously offered its boats for the series but the organizers had chosen the American boats because of similarities in their design.

BMW Oracle's USA-87 will also be used in the LV Pacific Series. Valencia, 28 June 2006. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

“We’ve had very strong interest for this friendly event,” said Yves Carcelle, president of Louis Vuitton. "Within a week of its announcement, 23 teams expressed interest – and eight teams registered and paid their fees while three more completed their entry form.’’

“It will be exciting to see Russell Coutts back at the helm at this level of competition against Dean Barker of Emirates Team New Zealand,” added Carcelle.

The following teams have officially entered:
Emirates Team New Zealand
K Challenge (France)
Mascalzone Latino (Italy)
BMW Oracle Racing (USA)
China Team (China)
Team French Spirit (France)
Australia First (Australia)
Team Shosholoza (Republic of South Africa)

Three more teams have entered, but will announce their participation at a later date.

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series is being held in association with the New Zealand Government, Emirates Team New Zealand, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS), Auckland City and Sky City Entertainment Group.

Three daily match races are planned on a two-mile windward-leeward course laid at the entrance to Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, between Rangitoto Island and the city foreshore. There will be a daily draw to decide which yacht competing teams will sail that day.

Emirates Team NZ designers comment on the three semifinalist boats

Emirates Team NZ issues a monthly newsletter that often is as educating as informative. In the May issue of this 2-page newsletter, the challenger's design team makes some very interesting observations on the yachts of the other three semifinalists of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

According to Grant DaltonManaging Director of Emirates Team New Zealand

Click for more info, general manager of the kiwi challenger, all boats are capable of winning the semifinal and "only one thing is for sure: there will
be no easy races in the semi-finals or the final".

Here is the integrity of their very interesting observations, as they appear on the newsletter:

BMW Oracle USA-98
USA 98-is certainly nothing less than one would expect from the self-professed “technologically most advanced team in the competition”. The hull design looks like a progression of the Bruce Farr/Oracle style, with no obvious signs of Juan Kouyoumdjian’s input.

Oracle have pushed the rules to the limit in making a 50% change to their first boat USA 87, effectively giving them 3 new hulls to sail during the 2007 challenge. Their appendage package has echoes of 2003 with a relatively long bulb which is slumped and has a chine with lawn mower (helicopter) winglets, a set up appropriate for moderate sea breeze conditions.

Alone among the challengers BMW Oracle ran a jumper less rig in the rounds robin, another indication of their prodigious spending power. The American boat has shown good speed in all conditions, but their chances of topping the challenger standings were undermined by headfoil failures in Act 13, and round robin 2.

Desafio Espanol ESP 97
This Reichel-Pugh, Scott Graham design has performed well during the rounds robin, claiming the scalp of Oracle and doing enough to claim fourth place in the standings.

The hull is traditionally proportioned and exhibits moderate bow fullness, similar to USA-98. The bulb is of moderate length with quite aggressive slumping, but no chine.

Generally the appendages match the hull shape in terms of seeking optimum performance in light to moderate airs. The hull has similar beam to the other semi-finalists.

Luna Rossa ITA 94
The Italians have gone for the most extreme hull shape in the fleet, having aggressively square sections throughout the length of the boat, coupled to an aft center of buoyancy position.

This style of hull should perform well upwind in moderate to strong winds, but the boat seems less happy downwind in light airs. The designers have been experimenting with different fin and bulb configurations during round robin 2 to optimize the boats performance profile.

Skipper Franceso de Angelis talked about finding the “right pieces of the puzzle” at the skippers’ press conference, so clearly there is more development to come.

The four semifinalists
Luna Rossa's ITA-94. Valencia, 9 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Desafío Español's ESP-97. Valencia, 9 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's USA-98. Valencia, 9 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Emirates Team NZ's NZL-92. Valencia, 9 May 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Louis Vuitton Cup - Round Robin 1 - Day 4: All races cancelled again, but..

Correction: A small error slipped through! BMW Oracle is of course racing (or better said waiting to race) the Louis Vuitton Cup with USA-98 not USA-87!!

This is becoming overly stressing and unpleasant but we have to report, for the fourth consecutive day, that no racing took place in Valencia and the Louis Vuitton Cup has still to get off the ground. When all the racing yachts as well as all media, spectator and support boats came together at the race course, at around 1pm, the sight was discouraging. There was not a sign of wind anywhere, the sea was completely flat and a horrible haze was covering Valencia's sky.

But, and this is probably the most encouraging part of the day, at around 4pm the breeze picked up, first in the south and then in the north course. The north course's race committee in fact moved quite south and tried to establish the start line. All four boats (BMW Oracle, Luna Rossa, Areva Challenge and +39 Challenge) hoisted their mainsails and jibs and started their prestart maneuvers and some upwind sailing.

An easterly breeze of 7-8 knots appeared but didn't hold on. The breeze was unstable and subject to wide changes in direction. It was then getting too late and at 5pm the race committee decided to send everybody home.

We are a little bit more optimistic and that's why we inserted the "but" in the title. All 11 crews are by now impatient to sail and the moment we get a decent constant breeze we will certainly witness great racing.

Last but not least, an interesting opportunity to watch (and photograph) USA-98 arose, while the American yacht was warming up. Despite the light winds at the end of the afternoon, observers were impressed by the boat's maneuverability and acceleration.

BMW Oracle's USA-98 carrying out prestart maneuvers while waiting for the race committee to signal the start of flight 7. Unfortunately, this was not to take place. Valencia, 19 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's USA-98 carrying out prestart maneuvers while waiting for the race committee to signal the start of flight 7. Unfortunately, this was not to take place. Valencia, 19 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's USA-98 carrying out prestart maneuvers while waiting for the race committee to signal the start of flight 7. Unfortunately, this was not to take place. Valencia, 19 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's USA-98 carrying out prestart maneuvers while waiting for the race committee to signal the start of flight 7. Unfortunately, this was not to take place. Valencia, 19 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

ITA-85 of +39 Challenge with the old Alinghi mast. The Italian team will try to put the repaired new mast on Thursday evening and if possible race with it on Friday. Valencia, 19 April 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Identify the boats

We received a great number of replies and the first correct one came considerably fast, one hour after posting the quiz, from a reader in Copenhagen. Here are the correct sailnumbers of the boats, in the order they appear from the top: USA-87 (BMW Oracle), ITA-86 (Luna Rossa), FRA-93 (Areva Challenge), ITA-94 (Luna Rossa), ESP-97 (Desafío Español) and USA-98 (BMW Oracle).

So far our quizzes have been limited to some obscure parts of a racing boat. Today we focus on the big picture and our test will consist of identifying 6 America's Cup yachts being towed out of Port America's Cup. All photos were taken today Thursday while the boats were on their way out to another day of training, taking advantage of the considerably good wind conditions so far. Some might be obvious while others, hopefully, not so.

The first person to correctly identify all boats will receive a surprise gift from Valencia Sailing. As a result and in order to be able to reach you, please send your replies by email. Don't leave an anonymous comment at the bottom of the article since we will not know who you are.

Speaking of wind conditions, Paul Cayard's comment this morning on his website is very revelatory: One thing I think could throw a curve ball at some teams is the weather in April. April is still definitely spring and the previous racing in Valencia has never started this early. February was 15-20 knots 75% of the time. Most teams have designed their boats for 9-14 knots which is expected in June. But to get to June, you have to survive April and May. The competition is going to be tough. I think there will be a number of "upsets". All this will mix up the results a bit more than expected and create some anxiety for the teams that are "supposed" to be there in May.

It will be fast and furious for six teams; the regatta will be a three week event for them. You only have to look at that reality to become extremely motivated.

Valencia, 22 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valencia, 22 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valencia, 22 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valencia, 22 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valencia, 22 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

Valencia, 22 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's twin sisters

Apparently, the Challenger of Record wants to make our life difficult with the one and only photo of the team's first two-boat sail in Valencia yesterday.

BMW Oracle's USA-87 and USA-98 sailing in Valencia together for the first. Valencia, 5 March 2007. Photo courtesy of the BWM Oracle Blog

Taking every precaution, the American team's boats docked out of the base earlier than usual and returned at different times, again earlier than usual. Curiously, when ALL other teams had either left Port America's Cup or were about to do so, this BMW Oracle boat was RETURNING. Which one is it?

According to the rumor mill in the host city of the America's Cup, the apparent intention of this move was to switch the boats. We'll have to wait until "Unveiling Day" on April 1st when all teams will be obliged to free their boats from all covers as well as identify them. Still, only a few experts will be able to distinguish between them. At this stage, if your two new (modified) boats are not almost identical then you have probably made a serious design error in one of them.

One of BMW Oracle's two boats being towed INTO Port America's Cup. Valencia, 5 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

One of BMW Oracle's two boats being towed INTO Port America's Cup. Valencia, 5 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle starts two-boat training in Valencia

[Source: BMW ORACLE Racing] BMW ORACLE Racing began the final two-boat race training session in the lead-up to Louis Vuitton Act 13 and the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup starting next month in Valencia.

The team’s two 2007-generation race yachts USA-98 and USA-87 lined up together for the first time today as skipper Chris Dickson and the sailing team performed a series of tests and in-house races in the waters off Valencia today.

“It is great to be here in Valencia in the race venue with our two race yachts,” Dickson said. “I am satisfied with where we are at this stage – everyone has put in a supreme effort. We’ve achieved a lot but there is still plenty to do. With our end-goal now in sight with racing about to begin, there is a renewed energy and focus within the team. Everyone is aware of how intense the racing will be through the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup. Now the challenge is to reach our maximum performance at the right time.”

The team sea-trialed USA-98 in New Zealand and ran a two-boat race training session there in January and February. USA-98 arrived to Valencia by Antonov February 23 and underwent on-the-water technical checks last week. USA-87 also sailed last week for the first time following winter modifications.

“We now have two 2007-model America’s Cup Class yachts,” Dickson said. “All we learned from USA-87 in 2006 was incorporated into USA-98. The winter period also gave us the opportunity to upgrade USA-87, bringing 87 into the current model year. We now have the hardware in place to do the job.”

BMW ORACLE Racing will continue the two-boat race training programme through March in preparation for the 2007 racing season which begins with Louis Vuitton Act 13 (fleet racing) on 3rd of April. The Louis Vuitton Cup starts 16th of April.

BMW Oracle's armada ready to enter the battlefield

While we were in the base of the Spanish America's Cup challenger Desafío Español for the arrival of Spain's Queen, we spotted, across the basin, the BMW Oracle shore crew preparing their brand new boat USA-98. Just a day after the first sail of USA-87, after several months, it seems that the team is ready to start training with their two latest-generation yachts and if one is to judge by the state of the yachts and the presence of the lift, this could take place this weekend.

Our apologies for the photos but they were taken from a very big distance. We will certainly keep a very close eye on these two boats from now on. Finally, we refer to these two yachts according to the corresponding number on the boat shed.

BMW Oracle's USA-98 and USA-87 in front of the base. Valencia, 1 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's USA-98 and USA-87 in front of the base. Valencia, 1 March 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing

BMW Oracle's USA-98 on the way to Valencia

[Source: BMW Oracle] BMW ORACLE Racing is loading USA-98 tonight onto an Antonov cargo plane in New Zealand for transport back to the team's base in Valencia, Spain.

Scott Sandford, the team’s New Zealand logistics manager, oversaw the pack-up and trucking of the new America’s Cup Class yacht to the airport in Auckland today. USA-98, the masts and appendages are being loaded onto the cargo plane tonight. The plane will depart New Zealand tomorrow.

USA-98 leaving the BMW Oracle base. Auckland, 19 February 2007. Photo courtesy of the BMW Oracle Blog

BMW Oracle's USA-71 breaks mast in training

[Source: BMW Oracle] USA-71, one of BMW ORACLE Racing’s America’s Cup Class yachts, today suffered some damage to the mast while in a race training session on the Hauraki Gulf. No one on board was hurt and the damaged rig remained intact in the yacht and was towed safely back to the team’s base in the Viaduct.

USA-71 was racing in 15 knots of breeze downwind during an in-house training session when the top of the rig collapsed. USA 71 is now back at the base where the shore team is removing the rig for inspection of the damage.

“While unfortunate, we have been pushing these boats hard and that’s why we are here,” said Chris Dickson, BMW ORACLE Racing CEO and Skipper. “We would rather learn the lesson now than during the Louis Vuitton Cup when this sort of mishap could cost us a race. This was a race rig so we are disappointed as the piece that broke should not have broken, but we are pleased we discovered this weak link now during our race training. Sten Mohr, Bertrand Pace and the crew on board USA-71 today showed great seamanship by responding quickly, minimizing the damage and getting the boat and crew safely back to shore.”

BMW ORACLE Racing plans to continue race training with USA-71 and USA-98 on the Hauraki Gulf tomorrow. The team is training in New Zealand until 16 February.

New secret weapon for BMW Oracle's USA-98?

It seems that BMW Oracle not only are taking advantage of reportedly very good wind conditions in Auckland, home of their winter training camp, they have recently hired some extra help, admittedly very low-tech. Check the following photo, courtesy of the BMW Oracle blog.

Chris Dickson and Peter Isler are smiling but are they sure the America's Cup rules allow two-boat-and-a-dolphin testing?

USA-98 testing against a dolphin in Auckland. Photo copyright BMW Oracle blog

USA-98 of BMW Oracle sails for the first time

USA 98, BMW ORACLE Racing’s new race yacht for the 32nd America’s Cup, sailed for the first time today after being launched at the team’s training base in Auckland. The team is conducting sea trials this week before starting an in-house racing programme to prepare for this year’s Cup competition in Valencia.

As always, you can visit the BMW Oracle website for the official news or get an interesting behind-the-scenes view at the BMW Oracle blog, with a great number of photos (including one of a group of Emirates Team NZ members spying from a nearby balcony).

BMW Oracle's USA-98 sails for the first time. Auckland, 16 January 2007. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's USA-98 sails for the first time. Auckland, 16 January 2007. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's USA-98 sails for the first time. Auckland, 16 January 2007. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's USA-98 sails for the first time. Auckland, 16 January 2007. Photo copyright Gilles Martin-Raget / BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's brand new USA-98

BMW Oracle, the Challenger of Record of the 32nd America's Cup, just received their brand new yacht, USA-98, in their temporary base in Auckland.

According to BMW ORACLE Racing, the boat-building and shore teams are now fitting the appendages and preparing the mast for the new race yacht. The boat will be launched for the first time next week and then the sailing team will conduct sea trials before race training begins. The 2003-generation USA 71 will serve as the trial horse for the new race yacht. The team will focus on crew preparation for the 2007 Cup season with an intensive sailing programme over the next 5 weeks.

You can read the official press release at the team's website or get a more detailed -- and interesting -- insider account at their blog. The first two pictures of the new boat are courtesy of the BMW Oracle blog.

BMW Oracle's USA-98 transported through the western United States. Photo courtesy of BMW Oracle blog

BMW Oracle's USA-98 transported through the western United States. Photo courtesy of BMW Oracle blog

BMW Oracle's USA-98 arrives at the team's temporary base in New Zealand. Auckland, 8 January 2007. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / BMW Oracle

BMW Oracle's USA-98 arrives at the team's temporary base in New Zealand. Auckland, 8 January 2007. Photo copyright Ivor Wilkins / BMW Oracle