With a forecast for very strong winds over the coming days, the sailing team is heading out early today. The plan is to be off the mooring at the boatyard at 07:45 Saturday. We'll be with them and hopefully have some some sunrise photos later today.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Friday, January 22, 2010
From the back of the boat
Following a long day of training on the water Friday, skipper and helmsman Jimmy Spithill (AUS) spoke with the international media who have been visiting the team this week.
Most of their questions were about what it's like sailing on the USA.
"It's a pretty exciting boat to sail and a pretty rewarding boat. It's a challenge and a lot of fun," he said.
"It's certainly the best sailing I've ever done. The only downside is that the actual time you spend sailing and sheeted on is quite small compared to the amount of energy you have to put into the logistics and getting it ready. So you really have to enjoy the moments when you're sailing."
And with February 8th fast approaching, how is that impacting the sailing team?
"We're working pretty hard. We're trying to prepare and make sure we're ready to go...
"Everyone's feeling the pressure a bit more. I think that's natural as you get closer to the competition. But also, everyone is looking forward to the race. We're ready to meet the other guys.
"From our point of view we're ready to go. Bring on the 8th of February!"
Most of their questions were about what it's like sailing on the USA.
"It's a pretty exciting boat to sail and a pretty rewarding boat. It's a challenge and a lot of fun," he said.
"It's certainly the best sailing I've ever done. The only downside is that the actual time you spend sailing and sheeted on is quite small compared to the amount of energy you have to put into the logistics and getting it ready. So you really have to enjoy the moments when you're sailing."
And with February 8th fast approaching, how is that impacting the sailing team?
"We're working pretty hard. We're trying to prepare and make sure we're ready to go...
"Everyone's feeling the pressure a bit more. I think that's natural as you get closer to the competition. But also, everyone is looking forward to the race. We're ready to meet the other guys.
"From our point of view we're ready to go. Bring on the 8th of February!"
Four from Friday
It was light and bright in Valencia today. The sailing team went out on the water and practiced their crew work, spending a lot of time tacking the headsail across in the very light conditions. Despite the lack of wind, USA still moves through the water in conditions where it seems like nothing should be moving.
Gilles Martin-Raget (FRA) was on hand for most of the session and this is some of what he captured.
Gilles Martin-Raget (FRA) was on hand for most of the session and this is some of what he captured.
Getting ready to go to the moon
Here Joey Allen (NZL) speaks with videographer Rick Deppe (USA) about Thursday sail, with some cool shots of the first couple of hours sailing - in about 6 to 8 knots of breeze - spliced in. Then, as you'll see, the wind faded completely.
Thursday afternoon - coach Allen reports in
The wind eased to near calm conditions later in the afternoon on Thursday sailing session, but sailing team coach Joey Allen (NZL) was still pumped up coming off the water. Another day at the office working at 'the greatest job on earth'.
At least that's the way he sees it.
He's joined the team for this final sprint towards race day, with a focus on helping the sailing team iron out its crew work through all of the race course manoeuvres.
"It's an extreme yacht to learn," he said after sailing today. "The game's on. We have plenty of work to do...
"The boat has taken a massive amount of development and engineering," he explains, adding that while the focus to date has been on boat speed, now the team is turning their attention to crew work.
"I'm just trying to help where I can. I'm not an expert on multihulls but i do have a lot of America's Cup experience and I'm just trying to help where I can."
On Thursday, the team had a full day on the water, with the mast and wing sail being stepped into the boat in the morning, USA leaving the mooring before noon, and several hours of sailing through the afternoon.
There was a light to moderate breeze early in the afternoon, but it eased to near calm conditions later.
Allen says they'll be keeping focused on their boat and development as preparations continue for the America's Cup Match.
"It's like getting ready to go to the moon. It's the most extreme vessel anyone's ever attempted to build, and if feels like we're heading off into space."
The greatest job on earth - or beyond!
At least that's the way he sees it.
He's joined the team for this final sprint towards race day, with a focus on helping the sailing team iron out its crew work through all of the race course manoeuvres.
"It's an extreme yacht to learn," he said after sailing today. "The game's on. We have plenty of work to do...
"The boat has taken a massive amount of development and engineering," he explains, adding that while the focus to date has been on boat speed, now the team is turning their attention to crew work.
"I'm just trying to help where I can. I'm not an expert on multihulls but i do have a lot of America's Cup experience and I'm just trying to help where I can."
On Thursday, the team had a full day on the water, with the mast and wing sail being stepped into the boat in the morning, USA leaving the mooring before noon, and several hours of sailing through the afternoon.
There was a light to moderate breeze early in the afternoon, but it eased to near calm conditions later.
Allen says they'll be keeping focused on their boat and development as preparations continue for the America's Cup Match.
"It's like getting ready to go to the moon. It's the most extreme vessel anyone's ever attempted to build, and if feels like we're heading off into space."
The greatest job on earth - or beyond!
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Sailing today
The weather is much better for sailing today and the team is scheduled to head out near noon.
Here, the wing sail mast is stepped onto the USA early this morning.
Here, the wing sail mast is stepped onto the USA early this morning.
The forecast is for a morning westerly giving way to a southeasterly sea breeze this afternoon. Winds are forecast to be light on Friday.
Esteemed guests
On Monday, after sailing, the team was honoured with a visit from the President of the Generalitat Valenciana, Francisco Camps, and the Mayoress of Valencia, Rita Barberá.
The pair were on hand to officially welcome BMW ORACLE Racing to Valencia ahead of the America's Cup Match and to see the trimaran and wing sail up close for the first time.
Below, Mr Camps and Mayoress Barberá are welcomed to the boatyard facility by team CEO Russell Coutts (NZL) and GGYC spokesman and head of external affairs Tom Ehman (USA).
The pair were on hand to officially welcome BMW ORACLE Racing to Valencia ahead of the America's Cup Match and to see the trimaran and wing sail up close for the first time.
Below, Mr Camps and Mayoress Barberá are welcomed to the boatyard facility by team CEO Russell Coutts (NZL) and GGYC spokesman and head of external affairs Tom Ehman (USA).
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Russell Coutts speaks out
With international journalists turning their focus on Valencia and the upcoming 33rd America's Cup Match, team CEO Russell Coutts took the opportunity of a maintenance day on shore to meet with the media and give them a tour of the boatyard.
This was followed by an open session addressing all topics relating to the 33rd America's Cup.
Our friends at zerogradinord.net have posted a link to the audio.
This was followed by an open session addressing all topics relating to the 33rd America's Cup.
Our friends at zerogradinord.net have posted a link to the audio.
Breeze on
The wind is up on Wednesday - as forecast - and it looks like it was a wise move to take the wing sail down after yesterdays inaugural sail of USA in Valencia.
Team meteorologist Chris Bedford (USA) is forecasting the winds to ease rapidly overnight, leaving much better conditions for Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow, for example, the forecast is for light winds in the morning with a moderate sea breeze in the afternoon.
Team meteorologist Chris Bedford (USA) is forecasting the winds to ease rapidly overnight, leaving much better conditions for Thursday and Friday. Tomorrow, for example, the forecast is for light winds in the morning with a moderate sea breeze in the afternoon.
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