In the early hours of yesterday (Monday 4 January), BMW Oracle Racing’s mulitihull arrived in Spain as the team completes its move from San Diego back to Valencia for the 33rd America’s Cup next month. Later that same day, defending team Alinghi arrived to start transfering its existing base in the Darsena (inner harbour of Valencia).

The Oceanlady cargo ship arrived with BMW Oracle’s BOR 90 trimaran, the main element of the wing sail, four custom made boxes containing the wing flaps, spare masts, 19 shipping containers, and 10 other boats (RIBs etc.). The ship was unloaded over the course of the day. The BOR 90 will now undergo a thorough work-up by the shore team to ensure the boat is match fit before the Valencia training session begins.
 In the meantime, the sailing team has scheduled several days of multihull match-racing practice in the Extreme 40 catamarans beginning on Thursday.

Alinghi’s catamaran Alinghi 5, the masts and 20 support containers reached their final destination aboard the Cassandra B container ship on Monday afternoon after a 14 day voyage from the team’s previous base in Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates.

“We hope that the people of Valencia will be excited to witness the arrival and preparation of our catamaran. We understand the American challenger has also arrived to Valencia and hopefully both boats will be moored in the Darsena and will provide a great spectacle.”

“Since these new yachts are so fast and the racing will take place a long way offshore viewing the yachts from the water will be difficult for the fans, the sponsors and the media; that is why we think the Darsena will form an important arena for this event,” said Grant Simmer, Alinghi design team coordinator. Alinghi plans to start sailing in Valencia mid-month and will focus on training for the 36 days that remain until the 33rd America’s Cup Match.