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Neal MCDONALD (GBR), skipper of Ericsson Racing Team, said, 'It is a great day for the team. We are through the tough construction phase and we are looking forward to getting on the water and trying her out. I congratulate all the boat builders at Green Marine and all suppliers who have done a fantastic job to finish the boat. It's a big milestone for us and it was great to finally see the boat in the daylight.'

Jason CARRINGTON (GBR), who has been supervising the construction of the team's Farr-designed boat said: 'This is possibly the best boat I have ever been part of building. The attention to detail in all aspects of the construction is fantastic, and I will be very surprised and unhappy if this is not the lightest boat in the fleet.' After being towed to Gosport, the yacht will have her keel and rig fitted before the crew takes her out for her first sea trials.

MCDONALD says the most exciting part will be sailing the new boat for the first time. 'These boats are going to be very, very entertaining to say the least,' he said.

Dusyant PATEL, operating officer for Ericsson Racing Team, said, 'We are very pleased to see the yacht in the water. Now you really get the feeling that the race is on. In parallel with the construction of the boat, we have done a lot of work on how to bring the race experience to our customers and the public around the world. I think we will be able to use the boat and the race in a very exciting way.'