Louis Vuitton RR1 Upset 1

Racing of LV RR! finally got underway this afternoon in a light easterly of about 7 knots. Immediately we had some exceptional racing on our hands with Mascalzone Latino gaining the upper hand at the start in their match against Emirates Team New Zealand. Mascalzone did a great job defending their lead up the first beat to round the top mark 27 seconds ahead but the ever fast TNZ pulled them in down the run to round the starboard gate mark right on the stern of Mascalzone. Then Mascalzone kept it simple and protected the right side of the course and therefore the starboard advantage to lead by 20seconds at the second top mark. TNZ were first to gybe away down the run but Mascalzone extended played it safe and stayed between the opposition and the finish. Mascolzone win by 29 seconds.

There will be upsets in this challenger elimination so hold on to your seats it'll be a bumpy ride!

Yendys Sydney Southport Slide

Here's some even better footage from on board the new R/P55 Yendys steaming her way to Southport! Check out the waves in this video - they are massive! And the crew have grins on their face equally as big!

LV RR1 Day 4 Cancelled - AGAIN!!

For the fourth day in a row, racing was cancelled in the Louis Vuitton Challenger Elimination RR1. Although Valencia did put on a little tease around 4pm with the breeze topping out at a huge 7 knots on the south course. It seems the Challenger Elimination is about to be in TURMOIL and you would have to say that Alinghi are just sitting back enjoying the mess about to unfold.

Valencia in better times

Racing in the LV RR1 was cancelled again today due to a lack of wind (it was a total glass out). This is the third day in a row! Everyone and I mean everyone will be wondering what the hell they are doing in Valencia!
Here's some photos of some cup boats actually sailing!

Alinghi out in front again

Areva cross Prada (with dude up the rig)

Practice start prior to Act 13

Quantum Racing Sydney Southport Ride

Here's some video of the Cookson 50 Quantum Racing sliding her way to Southport. These guys reported speeds over 30 knots during this 384nm sprint north.

America's Cup Unveiling Day

We are currently in Valencia and had the opportunity today to see the latest America's Cup yachts "naked". Here are a few photos from today's unveiling in the Port America's Cup.

Team China

Mascalzone Boom

Team Shosholoza - RSA83

Team Shosholoza - Keel & Bulb

Victory Challenge - Red Bull Logo

Victory Challenge - SWE92

Desafío Español - ESP88 & 97

Desafío Español - Keel & Bulb

ETNZ - NZL84 & 92

NZL92 Bulb

BMW Oracle - USA87 & 98

USA98 - Keel & Bulb
USA98 Bulb

CHN-95 China Team's New Boat Sails

Today in Valencia, China Team's brand new IACC yacht left the Port America's Cup for her first sail on the Mediterranean. The breeze was offshore 12-15knots. So nice weather to do the structural tests required before combat with the other teams.

CHN-95 leaves the Port America's Cup, Valencia

One of the more interesting features of the Chinese boat is that she has a bowsprit. This is now the fourth team to sprout a sprit. BMW Oracle, Alinghi, Shosholoza, Team China

CHN-95 has a bowsprit

Team China's artistic interpretation of flippers

Need a Thrill?

How about dynamite surfing? This is cool. Not sure if it is real or a really good edit job, but the guys certainly get a thrill out of it. In the current climate we live in, they are lucky they did not get charged for some kind of terrorism act. Apparently the video was taken in Copenhagen, Denmark of all places. Click here.

World Sailing League

Russell Coutts & Paul Cayard have finally launched their World Sailing League. Rumours of this event have been around for at least the last couple of years if not more, but apparently the "time is right" to launch the event.

The format is fleet racing in 70ft one design catamarans. Fleet racing will appeal to the general public more than match racing, and catamarans will potentially be more exciting that monohulls. Although the Volvo 70 footage seen in the last year has been pretty good!

One of the best features of the event is that the cost to teams will be capped at a reported 5 to 6 million euro (transport, boat lease, maintenance etc) and crew salaries will be capped as well. This feature will surely help level the playing field.

Unfortunately racing is not due to start until 2009. Now, all I here from marketing gurus is "time to market", so one has to wonder if this long lead time will cause the end of the regatta before it starts? We wait with great anticipation!

BMW Oracle break a mast

USA71 a 2003 generation AC boat broke its mast today whilst training on the Hauraki Gulf in New Zealand. Apparently the mast broke at the jumpers whilst sailing downwind with the spinnaker up in about 15 knots of breeze.

BMW Oracle have been training in Auckland for the last three months and are due to end their training next week and return to Valencia, Spain.

This is the second mast to break (that we know of) in this edition of the America's Cup. The first was United Internet Team Germany who broke an old mast mid last year whilst training in Valencia.