News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : A Weekend Of Work

News

20 August 2005, 10:08 pm

A Weekend Of Work

http://www.sailing.org/isafcal/photos/05_amcup_act6.jpg

America's Cup Act 6

Malmo, Sweden

It may be a Saturday in Sweden, and the opening weekend of the Malmö Festival in town, but the work doesn't stop at the 32nd America's Cup. Saturday dawned a beautiful day for sailing and training, and that's just what 10 of the 12 teams did.

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team and Desafío Español stayed ashore, but it wasn't an off day, there was plenty of work to do on their boats and equipment.

China Team was trying to squeeze a short sail in during the afternoon after completing its measurement process for a new keel. Emirates Team New Zealand and Alinghi spent much of the day tuning up with each other, as did Victory Challenge and K-Challenge, while each of the other teams wisely spent as much time on the water as possible, getting in touch with the local conditions.

The organisers weren't exempt from work either. The Race Committee held its first full practice day, setting marks in position, and putting the army of on-the-water volunteers through their paces in preparation for the first day of racing on Thursday.

'We spent a few hours on 'mark boat' training today,' said Peter 'Luigi' REGGIO, the Principal Race Officer for the 32nd America's Cup. 'It was our first day on the water here and the group we have did a fantastic job. We had about 45 people out today, and we'll have more tomorrow.'

In total, Luigi relies on over 120 volunteers who essentially make up the Race Committee. 'Without them,' he says, 'there's no racing. We're lucky to have such a dedicated group.'

The teams and the Race Committee will be hard at work again on Sunday, as the countdown to the first day of racing on Thursday marches on.