32nd America's Cup

Following a winter of training and preparing their boats the 11 teams are preparing for their definitive test - their challenge for the right to compete against the Swiss team, the Alinghi, winners of last year’s American Cup in this year’s competition. On Tuesday just gone, the 11 boats were to leave the port of Valencia for the last boat race before the hopefuls compete against each other in the Louis Vuitton cup but light conditions (read no wind) have delayed things so far.

The Alinghi team will train alone in preparation for the final later on. Most of the 11 teams will compete in new boats built in accordance with the most recent rules, approved during the winter break. The team from New Zealand, winners of last year’s season are preparing to compete using the latest technology. According to Terry Hutchinson, the strategist for the New Zealand team, the teams which competed in old boats last year but with good teams will have increased their chances of winning considerably.With a Chinese team and a team representing Asia and Africa (the Shosholoza) the 22nd American Cup is the first time that 5 continents will compete for the oldest trophy in the history of the sport. There are 3 other Italian teams taking part together with the BMW Oracle team representing the US and teams from Germany, Spain, Switzerland, France and New Zealand.