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The Challenger of Record launched their 'turbo-charged' Version 5 boats, USA 71 and USA 76, in Valencia last week. The boats are there for structural tests and instrument calibration in preparation for the start of their two-boat sailing season today from the Real Club Nautico.

BMW ORACLE Racing, returning to Valencia for its second year of full-time sailing operations, is embarking on three months of training and testing in the lead-up to the next Louis Vuitton Acts in Valencia in June. 'These next three months are critical for our research and development programme as well as for the development of our sailing team,' said Chris DICKSON (NZL), CEO, BMW ORACLE Racing.

'The tests we will conduct in our full-scale testing programme now through June will contribute towards the final design of our first new 2007-generation race boat that we will start to build later this year. For the sailing team, these months together will strengthen our boat-handling, teamwork, and match racing in preparation for a tough racing season of six Louis Vuitton Acts in three countries. We are still closing the gap on the Defender [Swiss-based Team Alinghi - Ed], so it's great to get a bit of a head start over them as far as time on the water in Valencia.'

BMW ORACLE Racing was formed in 2000 and came back strongly in the America's Cup 2003 in Auckland. After a series of loses in early rounds new installed skipper DICKSON turned things around with eleven wins on the trot before losing to eventual winner Alinghi in the Louis Vuitton Cup Final.