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Up one level
In only one year, barely one year, since its arrival in Europe, the “son of the dragon” has made its place in the small world of sportboats. As evidence, no less than 12 Longtze Premiers, skippered by talented sailors (Nicolas Bérenger, Stéphane Christidis, Marc Emig, Guillaume Florent, Luc Gellusseau, Erwan Tabarly…) are anticipated at the Primo Cup-TrophéeCrédit Suisse, this coming February 12-15, in Monaco. And that is only the beginning…
Come and visit us at the Paris Boat Show (5-14 december), pavillon 1 K19.
Last November 27th, the New York court ruling over the Oracle-Alinghi conflict ruled against the Swiss and gave a favorable ruling the Americans. The 33rd Americica's Cup Protocol is no longer valid and Alinghi must now define the parameters of the next edition with Oracle, who has become effectively the next Challenger of Record.
Longtze Premier finished its circle November 18th following its tour of Hong-Kong. Finishing 3rd in real time within the fleet, it was a race which closed up a week of sailing in Hong-Kong. After the tests, competitions, and finalizations, this last stage validates the modifications in view of LONGTZE Premier’s last outing.
After Shenzhen, where LONGTZE Premier won the China Cup International Regatta in the sport boat category, the team has set up their headquarters in Hong-Kong. On the program, a week of competition the 11th to the 18th of November.
The first is Singaporean, the second Chinese. They are both two members of China Team and sailed in Valencia during the 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia. They have participated in the adventure and launching of the Longtze Premier class in China. They were the first Asiatic sailors to race in the China Cup on the prototype #2.
China Cup finished the evening of October 21st. Longtze Premier landed at the top of the Sport Boat Class. Luc Gellusseau, who supervised the construction of the first test boats, was on board during the regatta and gives his first reactions of the boat’s debut.
China Team has won their class, Sport Boat, in the China Cup. A great start!
The China Cup started this Saturday, 20th of October at Shenzhen in China. Longtze Premier, the prototype produced by the team has been remarkable. First in fleet, in compensated and real time for the first race, second in the second race, it was a beautiful way to start...A tour of the exciting day in images.
Discover the new website developed by China Team for LONGTZE Premier, the new Sport Boat Class, produced in China, by the team. Get together at www.longtze.org!
From the 19th to 21st of this upcoming October, China is organising its first international sailing competition: the China Cup. China Team will sail their new Sport Boat, produced locally, the new class, LONGTZE PREMIER.
Following the litigation in which Oracle and Alinghi battling, facing a blocked situation and a proceedure taking longer than expected, ACM could envision delaying the America's Cup.
The first prototype of LONGTZE Premier, the new Sport Boat class produced by China Team, has been displayed in the Shenzhen airport since September 29th and will continue on for the next two months. First passes …
The two prototype boats of the Longtze Premier series produced in China have left the yard last week and are in the testing phase in Qingdao. Discover them for the first time!
It is the story of a 13 year old youngster, who lived in Aubervilliers and found himself in the Courneuve park one afternoon, looking at the remote control boats sailing around on the pond.
In a press release published yesterday, Alinghi announced having amended the Protocol rules of the 33rd America’s Cup to take into account challengers objections, and in particular BMW Oracle Racing objections. The Defender launched its last appeal to the Americans to rejoin the competition and end their legal actions.
The New-York Supreme court handed down their first decision on Wednesday Septemeber 10th deciding not to take any first actions in the conflict between Oracle and Alinghi concerning the subject of the next edition of the Cup.
A 7 meter keel boat, produced in China by China Team and which is to be called Longtze Premier, is the surprise of the homecoming. A competitive and lively boat for the team but destined to be commerciallized in China and Internationally. A few questions posed to Pierre Mas, installed in Qingdao, on the Yellow Sea Coast, who is supervising the work.
United Internet Team Germany has become the fifth official challenge to enter under the Protocol for the 33rd America's Cup.
Sailing on the new sport boat, Longtze Premier, developed and produced by China Team, leaving the boatyard at the end of September, the team will be participating in its first big international Chinese sailing event, the China Cup International. They will also take part in the sport keelboat Asian-Pacific Championships, which will take place in Hong-Kong in November. In China, it will be a full program of activities leading up to the end of 2007.
The New York Supreme Court has decided to speed up the legal procedures following the request of the Golden Gate Yacht Club, the Club representing BMW/Oracle, contesting the protocol of the next America’s Cup in Valencia 2009. The judges have fixed September 10th as the date of the first hearing and have asked the Société Nautique de Genève, the yacht club representing Alinghi, to rapidly produce their defense, at the latest date being September 5th.
The Italian syndicate started in 1996 by Patricio Bertarelli, owner of Prada, will not be on the start line for the 33rd America’s Cup.
In a press conference given on Wednesday 25th July in the port America’s Cup, Ernesto Bertarelli and the principal Valencian authorities, Francisco Camps, president of the region, including the Mayoress Rita Barbera, have announced that the 33rd edition will take place in Valencia in 2009.
TeamOrigin, the British syndicate, was accepted yesterday by the Société Nautique de Genève as the 3rd official challenger. The anticipated Wednesday announcement of the city to host the 33rd edition of the Cup has been put off until the end of August. The Americans have legal actions pending in the New York Supreme Court concerning the protocol proposed by ACM and Alinghi and Russel Coutts has signed on with Oracle.
Team Shosholoza, the South African syndicate, on July 19th has officially entered to participate in the 33rd edition of the America’s Cup. Team Shosholoza also joins the “Challenger of Record”, Desafío Español and the Defender Alinghi in the circle of first confirmed entries.
There are stormy skies in the America’s Cup. The American syndicate, Oracle Racing contests the validity of the Protocol and challenges Alinghi in July 2008. Louis Vuitton puts to an end a quarter century of partnership.
In a press conference given the 5th of July in Valencia, Alinghi and the America’s Cup Management have announced the end of the America’s Cup Class but haven’t divulged the date or the venue of the next competition.
5-2, the Swiss have crossed the finish line one second ahead to keep the Cup. It is an extraordinary match full of excitement. It is the victory for some and deception for others. Everything is very close between the two top racing teams. But it is overall, incredible match racing…
The Swiss close up the score this Saturday in Valencia Four points to two for the Defender which only needs one more point to hold onto the auld mug. It is a decisive match for Alinghi at the end of sumptuous match. It is also a victory which gives them the momentum to win tomorrow.
The Defender took advantage of a New Zealand out-of-control spinnaker to retake the lead from the Challenger. Unfortunately, the New Zealanders couldn’t recover from their errors. Dominating from the beginning of the race, they have NZL92 at their disposition, which is just as fast as that of the Swiss, even in a 15 knot breeze. In these conditions, even though perfect for suspense and interesting racing, the least thing broken or the least error could have fatal consequences.
Alinghi today equalized the score bringing it to 2-2. It was a classic regatta, led by the Swiss from beginning to end.
Victory goes to the Kiwis today, Monday, in the 3rd race of the America's Cup. A race charged with suspense, a race that everyone believed the New Zealanders would win by the first beat. Having been largely dominated during half of the race, Alinghi made an incredible comeback and we thought they had stolen away a fantastic victory. But like Sunday, the Kiwis never let go. We witnessed a true duel of titans in the last upwind leg and up until the last minute, nobody would be able to predict what would happen. I twas a grand and exciting match and also a magnificent New Zealand victory. At the end of a completely crazy race, Emirates Team New Zealand has wrestled a away an hallucinating second point. It is also a terrible defeat for the Swiss team and one that will hurt moral badly.
What a regatta! Suspense, emotion, boats within striking distance for an hour and a half and the New Zealanders moved into the lead on the last beat and crossed the line 120 meters in front of the Swiss. Kiwis Magic!
In a delirious America's Cup village, filled with Swiss and New Zealand supporters, the first race of the 32nd edition offered a Helvetica Victory following a magnificent duel in 14 knots of wind and bumpy wave conditions. Emirates Team New Zealand is defeated and crosses the line 35 seconds behind Alinghi. It is a fantastic victory for the Bertarelli team!
This morning, the Swiss defender and the New Zealand challenger, met for a press conference with the Auld Cup symbolically placed between them. The two teams showed their desire to win it. It is the hour that the whole world has been waiting for is approaching….. The Swiss still haven’t divulged their helmsman and they seem confident of their boat’s, SUI 100, performance, the Kiwis arrived looking content and serene. There was a light hearted atmosphere with lots of joking, but nothing was really brought out into the open. The press conference is mostly the occasion to take photos and see the two adversaries shake hands before the battle to the death. The real meeting will be on the water and the first ten minutes after the start will tell more than all recent discussions. The Cup starts tomorrow, Saturday, at 3:00!
In 4 days, the starting gun sounds for the 32nd America’s Cup. Alinghi, the Swiss defender against Emirates Team New Zealand, the New Zealand challenger. In the meantime, the scene is calm in the America’s Cup village, on the water the teams are sharpening their skills, the tension is mounting on the radio-dock.
1995 : Team New Zealand wins the America’s Cup 5-0 in San Diego facing the American’s; 2000 : Team New Zealand holds onto the Cup, 5-0 against the Italians from Prada ; 2003 : Team New Zealand loses 0-5 against the Swiss and the Cup flies to Europe; 2007 : Team New Zealand wins the Louis Vuitton Cup 5-0 against Prada. The Kiwis and the Cup, it is a long and beautiful story without concessions. It is a story of creating a legendary team, victory and defeat, renaissance and re-conquest…
New Zealand’s hour of revenge has sounded. 4 years after the debacle in Auckland, New Zealand has the chance to recover this precious trophy. The victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals against Luna Rossa is absolute: 5 matches to nothing. Team New Zealand has passed all the buoys in the lead.
Team New Zealand is no more than one match away from entering the ring with Alinghi. Victorious once again, Grant Dalton's Kiwis continue their momentum and lead here on out, 4 victories to zero. For Luna Rossa, from now on the game is very simple: they must win, win, win, win and win and never again ….lose.
Spectacular! For the 3rd consecutive day, the New Zealanders have won their regatta…and to win is an understatement. They simply smashed their adversary.
Second victory Saturday for Team New Zealand, followed by a throng of delirious New Zealand supporters, watching on the giant screens of the village, celebrating at each passing of a line or buoy by their favorite team! It should be said today that today’s victory was a beautiful one.
Emirate Team New Zealand wins the first regatta of the Louis Vuitton Cup. A close regatta, with the teams practically continuously in contact, but Dean Barker leads on all four legs. The two teams each started well, the Kiwis crossed the line with a one second head start over their adversary, wanting the right side and taking it. They lead by 12 seconds at the first mark but the spread never exceeded two boat lengths. The two finalists sailed perfectly and despite the attempts by Spithill to put pressure on Barker, the Kiwis crossed the finish line 8 seconds in front of the Italians. More racing tomorrow!
The much awaited hour is approaching. The Louis Vuitton Cup finals start tomorrow at 15:00. The two strongest challengers of the fleet will face each other for the best of 5 races on the Valencia waters. While waiting, the pressure is mounting. The teams training on the water are watched carefully and the whole world speculates. Yesterday, Emirates Team New Zealand dared a match with Alinghi. Thursday morning, it was time for a kickoff press conference. We were waiting for Spithill and Barker. It was the navigator from Luna Rossa Challenge, Andy Horton, and Terry Hutchinson, Emirates Team New Zealand who answered questions from the press. It is proof that the helmsmen are under pressure and the teams are looking to keep them under wraps. Selected excerpts.
Starting Friday June 1st to the 12th, Prada Challenge and Emirates Team New Zealand will face each other in the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup. The winner, the first to win 5 regattas, will bring home the Louis Vuitton Cup and with that, the right to face Alinghi in the 32nd America’s Cup Match. In the arena are two teams, but above all two men, two young talented helmsmen: James Spithill, 28 years old, Australian and helmsman of the Italian boat, facing Dean Barker, 33 years old, a New Zealander and helmsman of the Kiwi boat.
A stronger team for the next edition, established sports goals, important activities in China starting next October, Xavier de Lesquen, executive manager of China Team, explained the future of the syndicate. Interview.
Luna Rossa was decisively stronger than BMW Oracle. Once again, it was a badly managed pre-start by the American boat (biggest budget in the competition). Oracle remained in the game for the semi-finals, but was soundly defeated by Luna Rossa Challenge (5 victories to one). The Italian challenge will again find itself in the finals of the Louis Vuitton Cup, which it won in 2000. They must only wait to know who their competition will be. In another upset win over Team New Zealand, El Desafio remains on the playing field, led by the New Zealanders 4 to 2.
James Spithill, Australian, (Luna Rossa) teaches his older brother again, New Zealander Chris Dickson (BMW Oracle race). Pushed two times into fouls during the pre-start maneuvers, the Americans coped two penalties and could only watch the Italian boat tranquilly control the rest of the race. In the other semi-final, a new victory for Team New Zealand against El Desafiol. The New Zealanders and the Italians aren't any more than one victory away from qualifying for the finals. The America’s Cup dreams are slipping away for the two losers of the day. The Spanish and Americans no longer have any margin for error: if they lose tomorrow, they will be eliminated.
Given a slower start than the American boat, ITA 94 shows, day after day, a remarkable speed, notably upwind. With Torben Grael, tactically superior, it is only logical that Luna Rossa dominates for a third time against BMW Oracle Racing (24 seconds). The Kiwis correct the scorecard and relegate El Desafio to 42 seconds at the finish line. The Kiwis and Italians are not more than 2 victories away from the Louis Vuitton Cup finals.
Zhu Xinli, Huiyuan Juice President, organized a press conference last May 11 in Pekin, the company?s headquarters, for the returning Chinese sailors.Chosen exerpts.
El Desafio is still in the running. Karol Jablonski takes his revenge, in handing a penalty to Team New Zealand at the start. The Spanish boat perfectly controls the race for the rest of the day and offers Valencia a first convincing and promising victory, (1 minute and 14 seconds lead). In the other semi-final, James Spithill again won the start against Chris Dickson and was successful today in keeping their lead all the way to the finish line, crossing the line 31 seconds ahead. Luna Rossa retakes the points lead, two victories to one.
The wind in Valencia today is more regular and 10 to 12 knots of breeze on the water offered a superb spectacle. After a catastrophic start and a one minute deficit at the first mark, Chris Dickson and his team sailed perfectly and passed Luna Rossa on the last leg. The teams are equal with one victory each, but BMW Oracle seems to have a quicker boat. There wasn´t a Spanish surprise in the second race of the day with Team New Zealand winning by a good lead and carrying to matches to zero over the Spanish.
The television coverage for this edition is certainly the most substantial in all of the history of this event. More than 30 rights holder television chains across the world broadcast the 32nd America’s Cup, and practically in every continent.
According to the spanish press, the owner of Alinghi, announced this week-end that if they were to win this 32nd edition, they would organize the next event in 2009 in Valencia
In a quite variable wind, the first points of the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals are distributed to the Italians and the New Zealanders.Team New Zealand made their competition respect the pecking order and quickly dispatched the Spanish boat. Against the favorite BMW Oracle, Luna Rossa set an example by their excellent reading of the race course and left the Americans behind by two minutes.
It is a logical conclusion. The four biggest budgets in the competition have their places in the Louis Vuitton Cup semi-finals. Emirates Team New Zealand, the series winner arrived on top of the classification in front of BMW Oracle, Luna Rossa Challenge and Desafio Español.
For 7 teams including China Team, the 32nd America´s Cup has become history wednesday. It is already time for taking stock of recollections or memories (good and bad) in this campaign with small tour on the dock to get reactions …
Last sunny day for Longtze, welcomed to port by a cheering crowd, all had come to say goodbye to the son of the Dragon. Earlier in the day, Spain celebrated with the rise of their team to the semi-finals in the Louis Vuitton Cup.
The Louis Vuitton Cup still has not reached a final verdict. Victory Challenge remains in the running and Team New Zealand caught up with Luna Rossa. The wind was not favorable for China Team, beaten by Areva Challenge.
Shifty winds delay starting flight eight with the powerhouses consolidating their positions for the semi-finals and the also rans going through the last maneuvers before their exits from the Louis Vuitton Cup. China Team made their best efforts to contain the lighting fast New Zealanders but Emirates New Zealand took no chances in a repeat upset from the Chinese, and sped away to victory. Onboard Longtze, LIU Chengqi (19 years old), the youngest sailor of the America’s Cup sailed his first official race.
General Director of the international MTV Chinese area, Li Yifei is considered be one of the most visible Chinese entrepreneurs in the world and one of the most influential female figures in China. Co-Investor in China Team, last year she organized a spectacular television show, which presented the team to more than 300 million television viewers in China. Impressions after 24 hours in Valencia, about the 32nd America’s Cup which she is experiencing from the inside for the first time.
The leaders were all victorious in Valencia today. In more or less regular wind (12 knots), no one would surprise the big teams and the foursome in the top are becoming slowly more defined. China Team submitted to the law of Mascalzone Latino.
The weather conditions are finally ideal in Valencia. The sun has returned, accompanied by a good thermal breeze. BMW Oracle reconfirms (justifiably) their superiority against Luna Rossa Challenge. The Italian syndicate now sees the Kiwis as their competition to gain second place. El Desafio and Team Shosholoza defeat China Team.
Zhu Xinli, Chairman of Huiyman Juice, the first big Chinese sponsor, arrived from China at the base in Valencia this morning, for a press conference with Chinese and European media, before sailing as the 18th man in today’s racing.
It was THE day everyone was waiting for. The "clash of the Titans" between Luna Rossa and Oracle for a duel to separate the two, each one has 27 points in the standings. China Team, for their part had on their calendar an exciting match with the South African team. The start of the races held back by an hour because of thunderous weather and rain with 5-6 knots of wind were eventually cancelled. The thermal breeze never developed and the days sailing moved forward. Rendez-vous for tomorrow!
Cloudy with 10 knots of wind, Louis Vuitton is back on schedule. Two races have been run, unfortunately lost by Longtze, not spared from technical problems. It was not exactly a surprise to see the same teams victorious, even if Oracle had to escape from jail twice.
On shore while waiting for the races, life stops. On each base, it is the moment that the whole world waits for, following the race of their team. Once every four years, we have the right “at the office” to watch the television from 14:00 to 17:00, with toes cooling off but the emotion on fire…
Today I met David in Valencia ...
The normally calm Valencia waters took on a stormy aspect. Established at more than 35 knots, with gusts to 35 the race committe wisely took the decision for fleet to head back to port. There will be two starts tomorrow to make up for the lost time.
China Team takes its first victory in the Louis Vuitton Cup and against no less than the leader.....Oracle. Longtze crossed the line 3 minutes 34 seconds in front of the favorite. Magnificent!!!
You are the weakest link! Good bye” This well-known phrase that comes from a popular television show, will be repeated practically every night in greeting certain returning teams.
The last act of the Louis Vuitton Cup, Round Robin 2, started quietly today. The wind is still too weak and 2 regattas are put off. Longtze shows good potential against Luna Rossa but the Italians are too strong. BMW wins again and it is Victory who comes out victorious in the final death match with Shosholoza.
The repairs on Longtze are finished. China Team will be on the starting line tomorrow for the beginning of Round Robin 2.
A repair competition within the America's Cup
After the events that occurred yesterday, China Team’s technical team began a real sprint to prepare the boat and have it on the starting line for the beginning of Round Robin 2 tomorrow. Emamanuel Alban, structural engineer gave these explanations.
The sound of breaking carbon. Longtze is wounded but not sunk!
No big turnovers in the classification since the beginning of the Louis Vuitton.
Valencia, 26 April 2007 At the beginning of sailing today, the crew discovered a perceived problem in the keel box (the junction between the keel and the hull). It was necessary for CHN95 to leave the starting zone and to investigate further. The repair work has been organized rapidly in order for China Team to return to competition as soon as possible. The repair work is estimated to take 72 hours. Luc Gellusseau, chief operations manager
Under a hot haze and 10 to 18 knots of thermal wind, the Louis Vuitton Cup seems to have gotten back on track. For the first time, two consecutive days of races have been run without interruption. The whole world has taken a sigh of relief. Very few surprises on the water today with the favorites winning their races. Longtze lost honorably against the Spanish, before quitting the second race because of a technical problem.
Finally today the racing for the Louis Vuitton cup started in 7-8 winds on the North and South courses and the wait was worth it by with tight racing and some big upsets. The upper winds changed direction giving Valencia good sailing winds. China Team despite very even starts would bow to their competition United Internet Team Germany and Shosholoza.
From the Chase Boat, Luc Gellusseau observes analyses and comments on his 5th Americas Cup. Today’s comments: "sun and jacuzzi in Valencia."
Huiyuan a Chinese fruit juice company has become a China Team sponsor for the America's Cup.
Even if it was possible to run the first regatta, the wind diminished at the end of the afternoon forcing the teams to return to port sooner than expected. The second series of races were put back on the calendar. China Team sailed very fast but were defeated by Victory Challenge. The favorites were victorious and Team New Zealand returns to third place, equal in points with Mascalzone and Victory Challenge.
After five days out of six without races, due to wind, the Challengers met Saturday night, to redefine the program for Round Robins 1 and 2. The organisation made public the decision for rescheduling the races.
The selection of the best challenger has begun. The thermal breeze showed itself today after all of Valencia thought it be another day without. China Team was defeated by two to the big favorites, Luna Rossa Challenge and BMW Oracle. Mascalzone Latino created the first big sensation in doing away with Team New Zealand in a tight match.
The new program
The races were cancelled for the third consecutive day. The Louis Vuitton Cup has started but we now wonder where it has gone? The problem is no wind!
Today Tuesday April 17th China Team was supposed to meet the Swedish from Victory Challenge and the Germans from United Team Germany. The wind, too light, for the second day of racing, postponed the start until finally being abandoned. While on the water, impatience won over the challengers who still haven't raced any of their matches for the Louis Vuitton Cup, but life onshore continues. A small stroll along the avenues and corridors of Valencia with Patrick Grippe, photographer, who loves to explore Valencia in as much as the Mediterranean…
The races were abandoned today due to the lack of wind on the racecourse. On the program for tomorrow, China Team will be up against United Internet Team Germany and Shosholoza. The races for today have been rescheduled for the end of Round Robin 1.
The skipper’s press conference Saturday morning, a huge nautical parade Saturday night, and the syndicate director’s press conference Sunday morning, the Prada evening Sunday night, first matches starting Monday at 14:00. The 32nd America’s Cup has started well and wonderfully at the same time.
The China Team lounge bar was inaugurated April 12th. More than a 1000 people went through between 22:00 and 5 in the morning to discover a panoramic view from the DRAGON dominating the Cup village, have a drink, and find themselves among friends. It was a very Spanish atmosphere, late at night, beautiful lights, with music blasting from the ground level of the base. Above all, it was the occasion to discover a terrace open, to the public, everyday of the week between 13:00 and 03:00 (early morning) in the spirit of a transparent base. It shares with the Valencian people, the life a sailing team. It is also the only terrace of the village where anyone can lunch, dine, have a drink, see the boats return from the regattas, the team members work, stow away sails, or follow the team briefings. Captured in images…
Zhao Fei, 23 years old, nicknamed "Fly", discovered sailing at 13 years old and the America´s Cup Class at 22. Originally from Qingdao, a universiy Oceanic student in China, he sells computer accessories with an associate. He also manages networks and is a web developer in Flash. Chinese 420 champion in 2002 5th in 470, he is one of the first Chinese sailors selected for the team. His impressions the day after Act 13.
After Act 13, the Louis Vuitton Cup starts next Monday, the 16th of April. The challengers have five days in front of them to sharpen their weapons before the cup starts. The Louis Vuitton Cup, a series of duels between two boats, in match racing format, determines the best of the challengers. Only the winner can meet the holder of the title, Alinghi, for the final match or the America’s Cup.
It was the end of Act XIII today, with an exciting Spanish victory in the first race of the day, the first of this season, battled by seconds, and Longtze in the game for this last regatta which ends with a victory by Alinghi without any concessions. The Swiss, winners for most of the fleet races of this 32nd edition, dominated Act 13. They are the overall champions before leaving the scene just before the final match this upcoming June 23rd.
With 12 to 18 knots of wind, sun and waves, Valencia offered an ideal environment this afternoon. Longtze offered up a good first regatta staying in contact with the other teams. Alinghi and Team New Zealand share the points while Longtze started to show its paces. “We feel like we have caught up with the rest of the fleet” Wearn Haw TAN explains.
For today, it was one "without". Without wind, without visibility, without sun. The whole world was waiting for the the eventual start of the race. The America's Cup Class boats made the rounds in the starting area, the spectators in the rain in front of the gigantic screens where they couldn't see anything, the journalists in the starting blocks who finished their day in the coffee shop.... In short, the verdict came at 16H30. A cancelled day and rescheduled for Saturday which was supposed to be a day off! So it will all be started again, hopefully with wind and sun!
While the weather forecast was for light and weakening wind, the weather conditions degraded during the afternoon, provoking a series of breakages and technical difficulties, the most spectacular being the collapse of +39’s mast. The winner of the day, Alinghi, two times victorious is at the top of the leader board. Longtze finished 12th, then 9th in the second race.
After a long 10 month break, the 12 America's Cup Class yachts today launched the start of the 13th and last Louis Vuitton Act. In a weak and unstable wind, only one of the planned races was run. BMW Oracle won after incessant position changes and took the lead in the standings. Longtze leapfrogged Victory Challenge and finished in eleventh position.
Jean-Christophe BABIN, CEO of Tag Heuer and WANG Chaoyong, president of China Team, Monday 2nd of April, made official Tag Heuer’s increased support within China Team, the first Chinese representatives in the history of the America’s Cup.
First skippers press conference this morning in Valencia before the first race previewed for tomorrow at 14:00. 11 challengers and one defender will be on the start line for 4 days of competition. Today we learned that Dean Barker (Emirates Team New Zealand), Francesco de Angelis (Prada Challenge) and Vasco Vascotto (Mazcalzone Latino) will not helm their boats for these Act 13 fleet races. Selected excerpts….
It was a big open house day open in the America's Cup village on this Sunday 1st of April and on the bases of the twelve teams. At 9H30 this morning, the skirts came off the new generation of Americas Cup Class yachts. After a small stroll from North to South of the Darsena with Philippe Pallu de la Barrière from China Design Team, these are his comments about the "undersides" of the other boats two days before the start of the 32nd America's Cup.
The America’s Cup is in its final stretches, from 3rd of April to the 7th of July. A quick reminder for the competition dates before the canon first sounds off.
The countdown has begun. Act 13 starts in 5 days, 3rd of April. In Valencia, the excitement is mounting !
Sunday 25th March 2007, the Valencia Chinese Community came to celebrate at the China Team base. On the program were dancing, songs, karaoke and despite the windy cold, a warm atmosphere.
Sundays images with the Chinese community of Valencia at the China Team base.
Frank Pong, a well-known sailor in Asia, former commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club, owner-skipper of offshore sailboats and Honorary Chairman of China Team has arrived in Valencia where he has installed himself for the duration of the Cup. An interview with a passionate person, with a sparkling glance, always changing … especially when the subject is about sailing adventures and boats!
CHINA TEAM was welcomed Thursday night to the Chinese Embassy in Paris. Orchestrated by the Business Club, the night brought together partner enterprises and numerous guests, representing western and Chinese companies in France.
China Team has just opened its doors. Conceived as being a big window, the team’s activities are visible from the street and from the terrace open to the public. We interviewed Françoise Raynaud, architect, director of the Loci Anima agency, the originator of a interestingly original and economic project.
Basketball player, model, actress, Xin Li, is the godmother of Longtze and ambassador for the team. Here we meet a beautiful young woman, full of charm but also very natural and with her feet on the ground.
Sunday 12 March, CHINA TEAM welcomed 60 children adopted by Valencian parents, for a visit to the base and an encounter with the sailors.
Tuesday March 6th at 20h30, the first Chinese America’s Cup class in the history of the America’s Cup was christened in Valencia, Spain. CHN95 has become Longtze, "the son of the dragon". Longtze will carry the Chinese colors during the 32nd America’s Cup, starting April 3rd 2007.
Helmsman of CHN95, Pierre Mas, three America’s Cup campaigns to his credit, gives us his impressions on the new Chinese boat, his vision of the Cup, and his ambitions.
They are between 19 and 28 years old, five Chinese and one Singapourian. They have sailed in Lasers, 420’s and 470’s and have been selected following the “Sailing Camps” organized in China starting two years ago. They represent this new generation of sailors trained by the China Team and will remain on this mythic team in the first Chinese America’s Cup. Sample portraits…
CHINA TEAM celebrated on February 18th the Chinese new year at the Monte Picayo Casino accompanied in part by the Valencia Chinese Community. It was also the occasion to celebrate CHN95 first sailing and to symbolically mark the passage towards a new phase of preparation for the competition.
Good weather, calm sea, CHN 95 went sailing for the first time today. A test sail has confirmed the good impressions from yesterdays’ launching.
Ranked 12th in the international match-racing circuit, Damien Iehl is on the cutting edge of match racing sailing. At 31 years old, he serenely comes aboard on the China Team, with considerable experience, a sure talent and a strong human sense.
CHN95 touched the waters of port America's Cup for the first time this morning. A first swim and a series of technical verificaCHN 95 touched the water for the first time today. The Chinese America´s Cup Class was lifted by crane, then set into the water in front of the team base. It was big moment for all the members of CHINA TEAM and to their great satisfaction at this latest "event". Designers and builders jumped on board to check against leaks and check the structure of the boats´ equilibrium in the water. Unending checks before the first sailing. Open waters are planned for tomorrow!
Last touches on CHN 95 before first sailing trials
With five America’s Cup challenges under his belt and a key figure in three challenges, as a man with a passion for car rallies, Luc Gellusseau loves competition. In just a few days time, CHN95 will be launched in Valencia. Here he tells all !
In a preview of the Louis Vuitton Cup, which will start in Valencia this coming April 16th, the Louis Vuitton “Espace” on the Champs-Elysées will organize an exposition “Wind and Sails” The America’s Cup Legend and the Louis Vuitton Cup.The exposition will take place in Paris from January 17th to April 16th and then in Valencia Spain until the 12th of June. A vision of the event through celebrated artists.
Bruno Troublé, emblematic figure of the America’s Cup, helmsman of the Baron Bich from 1977 to 1983, and appointed for over 20 years by Vuitton as the event’s coordinator, paid a visit Friday morning to the future Chinese base here in Valencia. It was the first time he had seen the CHN95. These are his first impressions.
The boats used for the America’s Cup Class, like the majority of boats used for racing today, are made from carbon. This is what allows an America's Cup Class yacht to have the strength of steel but being seven times as light. Its tensile strength can reach up to 450 tons.
At 28 years old, and a five time French champion in Finns and Lasers, runner up in the Europe and Finn classes in Sept 2006, engineer in material physics, Guillaume Florent is in charge of trimming the mainsail onboard China Team and also takes on electronics and embedded computer technologies onshore. For him, to do the Cup, is a long awaited dream
Construction work has already begun on preparing the CHN95. This first week of 2007 will include positioning the structure of the Chinese Class America, a task that requires 24-hour days for those working on it. Here is a close-up of the composite team and their speciality.
CHN95 has joined the CHINA TEAM base in Valencia this week. It left the Spanish workshop where it was painted during the Christmas and New Year holidays.
The 2006 MTV Awards and Style Gala, organized by MTV last weekend awarded China Team the winners of “sport” category in the fashion competition
After traveling for a month, CHN 95 arrived in Spain in the early hours of December 15th. The first Chinese America's Cup Class in the history of the Cup was unloaded friday morning in the Valencian commercial port and then sent to the shipyard where it will be painted in the upcoming days!
At the age of seven Wearn Haw Tan fell into the water and began a lifetime passion, then took part in Optimist, the pioneer programme for young people in Singapore and was a prominent figure in the world championship at La Rochelle, France in 1988. He moved on to Laser and then 420 to end up on 470. This young, talented sailor is one to watch, and is navigator since last June. He has just finished up a season of racing
When it comes to a Class America, nothing is left to chance. Everything must be measured and weighed to the nearest centimetre. It is a long, painstaking job which takes place on land just before launching the boat and during the designing of the boat by computer. Here’s how it works.....
Following a stop in Malasia, China Team left for Thailand and the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, one of the biggest and most appreciated competitions in the Asian sailing world.
From the 29 November to the 5 December, Wearn Haw TAN will be at the helm of the China Team for the Monsoon Cup, one of the biggest competitions on the international circuit of Match Racing.
The town of Xiamen, poised on an island on the southern coast of China, hosted the China Team crew last week for the final Sailing Camp of 2006. While the CHN95 left Chinese soil and set off for its final destination in Spain, 5 new Chinese sailors were competing for a place on the China Team crew. Here are the high spots.
CHN95 left Dong Guan 18 November in the morning. It will arrive in Valencia in a month’s time, probably around the 18 December.
China Team’s last sailing session in China for 2006 will take place in Xiamen. Now that the team have finished celebrating the departure of CHN95 in Dong Guan, Xiamen, an island in southern China, is where the last sailors will be recruted. Then it’s back to training in Valencia.
The construction of CHN95’s hull and deck was completed today in Dong Guan. The very first Chinese Class America will leave this week by boat and is scheduled to arrive in Valencia, Spain mid-December.
Operation “Our Neighbourhood has Talent,” launched 17 November 2005 in Seine-Saint-Denis with an aim to employing the young and newly-qualified in the more deprived areas, will hoist its sails again this autumn. On 16 November 2006 a national operation will be launched with the same objective.
All the sailors know: An America’s Cup Class must be 25 meters long and weigh 24 tons. For it to be a quick boat, it must be light above the water, heavy below, and carry the most sail area possible. Easy enough! Except that in the America’s Cup, the rule encompasses these three parameters and each one is interrelated to the other...
Thierry Barot is an enthusiastic sportsman, as passionate about sailing as he is about skiing and rugby. With his adventurous spirit, he loves the thrill of the race and travelling. As a member of the China Team he has also gained a reputation for his love of Asia and knowledge of China and has crossed the length and breadth of the area for the past ten years with his trademark enthusiasm.Interview
From the 14th to 24th November the China Team will set sail and head towards Xiamen in southern China. Their task will be to navigate, continue the selection process and train the younger Chinese sailors on the team.
A friendly competition between nations, the America’s Cup in reality hides a veritable technological war. Before racing on the water, the regatta starts in the development offices and testing facilities. The objective is to find the smallest difference which will make the boat that much faster than the competition and bring this fabulous trophy home to the winner’s country. Certain boats have made their marks in the history of the Cup, a review of the most notable events…
Between the 24 and 28 October China Team will hoist its sails in Galicia for the Master de Espana. The competition will take place in Baïona on the Atlantic coast near the Portuguese border.
This October 2006, Frank Pong, an important player in the Asian world of sailing, former commodore of the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and owner/skipper of some of the most magnificent racing boats in Asia, joined China Team as Honorary Chairman. Interview
Under a hangar in Dong Guan hides the first Chinese Class America. Take a look at the first images of CHN95 and enjoy the ambiance of an extraordinary shipyard that ressembles no other! Direction southern China, just 12 hours flight from Valencia.
The first Class America ever built in China will carry the number 95. The building of the hull was completed in Dong Guan and validated by the technical director of tonnage, Ken Mac Alpine. CHN95 will be delivered directly to Valencia from Hong Kong and is expected to arrive mid-December.
For some it was ten days of sailing camp in China, for others a trip to Dong Guan to follow the building of China Team’s boat, but between the 9th and 12th October, the team will reunite for a week of navigation in Valencia.
This week, China Team’s sailing programme falls in the middle of a week of partying in Valencia. This will include Valencia Day on 9th October followed by Hispanidad Day, 12 October. So the next few days will be filled with plenty of navigation but also firework displays, dancing, singing and thousand-year-old traditions. Here is a mini guide to the festivities in the city.
This week has been spent navigating and match-racing on the Olympic waters of Qingdao. It was also an opportunity to promote China Team which was honoured by MTV coverage, and to welcome Chivas as a new partner to the team. Among those who shared the events of the week were: Zhao, Olivier, Jue, Maryelle, Ship, Pierre, Wenpei and many others. See the week in Qingdao in pictures.
CHIVAS press release, September 22nd, 2006, Qingdao
CHINA TEAM arrived in Qingdao this week, the city where next year’s sailing events for the Beijing Olympic Games 2008 will take place. The days have been filled with sailing and discovering Qingdao. As the week comes to an end, match-racing and a chance to see the team “at home” will be just some of the highlights of the weekend.
From the 15 to 26 September, all the action will be taking place in China. A group of around fifteen will depart from Valencia, Singapore and other cities, to meet in Peking and then travel to Qingdao. The point of the exercise is to navigate, meet up again with the Chinese crew as well as the team’s sponsors, and to spend some time together.
Lionel Antognelli, 29, is supervising the building of the first Chinese Class America in the history of the Cup in Dong Guan, China. A native of the Mediterranean and a former engineer who specialised in car racing, the America’s Cup project is in a way a return to his origins as Lionel is also passionate about sailing. From the bodies of Formula 1 cars to the hull of a Class America, Lionel Antognelli tells us about his life in Dong Guan, the shipyard and his Class America project.
China Team continues to be as active as ever following the Elba Cup in Italy, competitions in St. Moritz, Switzerland and a busy week that has just finished up in Trieste. Part of the autumn programme includes training sessions in China, including two Sailing Camps, and other competitions throughout the winter months all over the world.
Leaving Tuesday for Trieste and the Sfida Cup, Grade 2 on the international match racing circuit, the race is interesting because it will be raced on boats 15 meters in length. Among the competitors, CHINA TEAM, and four other America’s Cup syndicates. A good test, after a seven month reprieve from the America’s Cup racing in Valencia.
It is on its way! The mold for the future China America’s Cup yacht was validated the last week. After several adjustments, “the good to go” was signed off by the China Team Design Team on Wednesday, August 23rd. The lay-up of the hull can start.
Luc Gellusseau, chief operations manager and Pierre Massé, project manager, left last week for Dong Guan China, to follow the progress of the new boat. Here are some of the latest updates from Luc Gellusseau
The venue for the month of August is Switzerland, where some of the teams competing in the America’s Cup, including the China Team, will spend a week of racing in the 4th year running of the St. Moritz Match Race. The event will take place from 15 to 20 August.
Jeremy Koo joined the China Team crew just in time to take part in the Act XII regattas. The young Malaysian, age 25, participated in the Elba Cup alongside Pierre Mas and his team. From the jetties of the Royal Selonger Yacht Club to those of Valencia and Porto Azzuro, Jeremy has taken part in all the big sailing competitions around the world and is one of the most experienced members of the crew. We asked him a few questions about his career to date.
From the 11 to the 16 July all eyes will be turned towards Italy and the Elba Cup, one of the biggest events in match racing. Pierre Mas and some members of the China Team are there to take part in the regattas.
Profession: sewer and artist. We met with one of the more discreet members of the crew, Charles Lim Li Yong, 33, who is the sewer on board the CHN79 and a conceptual artist in Singapore.
Antonio Fernandez Iglesias is 16 years old, Spanish, and passionate about the America’s Cup. Last week, he filled out a questionnaire about the America’s Cup, in a contest organized by the ACM. He was the winner of the contest, and today he was the 18th man on board CHN79. Here are the impressions of a passionate America’s Cup sailor.
After winning a slugfest of a match against BMW Oracle Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand found itself in the final of division 1 along with Alinghi. In a remake of the last America’s Cup Match, it is the New Zealanders who get on the scoreboard first by winning the first match. Alinghi must now win two straight times to be declared the winner of Louis Vuitton Act 12. In division 3, China Team was defeated two times in their matches against United Internet Team Germany. All the results:
In a couple of days time, the building of the first Chinese Class America is going to begin in Dong Guan in the province of Guangdong. Pierre Massé, known as Tara, is the head of the technical crew of China Team. He will also closely follow the building of the Chinese boat. Before they begin on the mould Monday next, Pierre explained to us how the Class America will be built in China.
Despite a well sailed final regatta, CHINA TEAM was defeated in the semi finals in their division and will face United Internet Team Germany, « petite finale » who was defeated by the Italians of +39 Challenge. In the upper group, Mascalzone Latino reached the final in disposing Victory Challenge in two straight matches. Tomorrow the Rascals will face the winner of the match between Shosholoza and El Desafio Espanol (1-1). Finally in division 1, Alinghi took their revenge against Luna Rossa Challenge (2-0). The defender will find itself facing a New Zealand skipper in the finals. Dean Barker (Emirates Team New Zealand) and Chris Dikson (BMW Oracle Racing) tied up the score today and must sail tiebreaker tomorrow. All the results.
At the beginning of April, China Team, Louis Vuitton and ACM got together to organise a large concert which was televised. The audience ratings have just been made public and the figures are extremely impressive.
China Team will face the French team Areva Challenge in the semi finals of their division. All the matches are the best of three. If a team wins two races the third won't be run. In the other semi final, the +39 Challenge will face United Team Germany.
Wang Chao Yong, president of China Team, arrived in Valencia this week, and told us what his first impressions were!
Because of light and unstable wind, only one regatta could be started this afternoon in Valencia. In the match of the day, Luna Rossa (ITA) stole away victory from BMW Oracle Racing. Leading from the beginning of the race, the American team was passed in the final meters of the race by the Italians. Team New Zealand maintains their lead in the overall standings, after a difficult victory against the South African representative, Shosholoza Challenge. Luna Rossa remains close to Alinghi in second place. China Team was defeated in their match against Areva Challenge despite an even start. The second of today’s races will be run tomorrow.
The America's Cup, it's village, and the "Foredeck". Designed by the English architect David Chipperfield, the building has sober lines and is going to become a landmark in Valencia. Tourists, travelers, fans, journalists, team members... will be able to follow the America's Cup experience on the giant screen, see the boats pass through the canal, buy a Vuitton bag, soak up the sun or have a drink. Photo tour by Patrick Gripe
It’s flat calm today in Valencia. No regattas on the Cup side, a work day for the locals. China Team takes advantage of the extra time train from noon to 18h00.
An exceptional mix nationalities bar none, the America’s Cup is also an amazing mix of types of people. Every morning on the CHINA TEAM base, close to a 100 people are onshore to help launch the Red Dragon, make preparations for the sailing team and spend a little time together, before leaving to help with the regattas on their support boat. Sponsors, journalists, VIPs, businessmen … and young graduates from Seine Saint Denis cross paths each morning on the Chinese base.
The two last winners of the America´s Cup are the only ones left at the top of Louis Vuitton Act 12 tonight. Team New Zealand dominated Luna Rossa Challenge this afternoon and remain the only team close enough to the Swiss consistency. In the other match of the day, Alinghi showed their depth against their primary rival, BMW Oracle, and then against CHINA TEAM. Earlier in the day, the «Red Dragon» CHN79 couldn´t do anything against the Swedish « Red Bull » despite an excellent start and a well sailed race. All the results.
Dong Guan is an enormous industrial city with a population of five million. Until now the main activities here have been children’s toys, computer components and decks for MP3. But in the past few weeks the construction of the first Chinese Class America has been added to their production. We visited the region where excess is the norm!
The second day of Act 12 is marked by clear wins again by the dominent forces of the competition. Following their defeats against Team New Zealand BMW Oracle, El Desafio is not able to stay in the lead pack despite handing a penalty to BMW Oracle. China Team drops its races against the Italians from Mascalzone Latino and +39 Challenge depsite two encouraging starts. All the results.
Alinghi, Team New Zealand, Luna Rossa, EL Desafio and BMW Oracle are the only teams who came out on top in both their regattas today. The “big four” and the spanish (with their brand new boat) head the fleet for the moment. CHINA TEAM was at the sharp end of the New Zealander and Italian team (Luna Rossa) and share last position with + 39, Areva Challenge, United Internet Team Germany and Shosholoza Challenge.
Tang Ming Feng is among the Chinese sailors selected in Shenzen last March. He arrived in Europe six weeks ago and in this interview gives us his first impressions of Europe, how he adapted to life here and the difficulties he encounters daily as he trains for the America’s Cup.
Sail training restarts in Valencia today for CHINA TEAM. After a cool period earlier this month, the sun has finally appeared to push up the mercury, giving the Red Dragon ideal sailing weather, 15 knots of wind, for it's upwind training. It is the opportunity the crew needs to prepare for the all important starting phases, crucial in match races. The majority of the sailing team has returned, and in good spirits to get back into racing.
Things are hotting up with only ten days to go before the beginning of Act XII in Valencia. The temperature is keeping up with the fervour on the water and around the various bases where each team is getting ready for the last duels of the season. The only regattas for the moment involve match-racing before the final tests of the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America’s Cup, next year. China Team is preparing for the competition too, with several training sessions, navigation and English lessons.
Like last year, the Swiss defender has once again dominated the rest of the fleet and the four “big” teams remain at the top of the classification For here on, CHINA TEAM, must prepare CHN79 for Act 12 and start the construction of their future America’s Cup boat, in China.
Victory Challenge and Alinghi are the fortunate winners of the day. CHINA TEAM finished 12th and then in 9th place. On board the Chinese boat, 22 year old ZHANG Wenpei, in racing his first America’s Cup race.
Willy and Daniel, the two cooks, were at last able to put their feet up yesterday. After a day’s sailing, the Chinese sailors, under the guidance of Weidong LIU (representative of the Chinese Yachting Association) took over the kitchen to produce in record time almost 600 Jiao Zi. Steamed beef or pork raviolis, the Jiao Zi are traditionally served to honour guests to your home. Man Man Chi! (enjoy your meal!).
Although CHN79 is reducing little by little the difference which separates them and their better prepared competition, it remains logically defending the back of the fleet. Today, CHINA TEAM weren’t successful in their bid to defeat the French and South African teams on the last races of Act 10. On board CHN79, WANG Jue is one of five grinders on the team. It has been a little bit of a crazy week for him.
On the margins of Class America : sailors, a boat, a crew and a stroll around the base. A visit backstage on the fringe of the regattas!
At the end of a day once again upset by fickle winds, CHINA TEAM enters port with a null result, after a super regatta against the German Challenger. A little earlier, Pierre Mas and his crew succumbed to the fierce law of BMW Oracle Racing. Yi Han! (It’s a shame!) )
The wind waited to show up today and the teams had to be patient almost until 16h before there was a stable enough breeze to start the races. Against Victory Challenge (Sweden), CHN79 was dominated in the start phase and but lost the game. The second series of races were cancelled: Wu feng! (No wind!)
Weidong Liu, the general secretary of the Chinese Yachting Association (CYA), in charge of keelboats, on Friday, for his first time, went aboard CHN 79 as the 18th man. An incredible experience!
For the fourth day of regattas, China Team lost their match despite a good start against the Italians on +39 who were faster. Then in unstable wind, which completely dropped to nothing, China Team bowed to Emirates Team New Zealand after a never-ending race in oily windless waters. This Saturday brings the news of Luna Rossa’s victory over Alinghi, the first two points for the South Africans, and the finally the last team to remain unbeaten at the top of the leader board, BMW Oracle.
A sun baked Valencia and the christening of the Spanish boat are what opened the second day of regattas. The Chinese dragon bowed to its two Latin adversaries: the Spanish team Iberdrola 2007 and the Italians from Maszcalzone latino.
China Team today met two big teams. Luna Rossa, the Italian team, winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup in 2000 and a major player in the Auckland 2003 event. Then Alinghi this afternoon, winner of the 2003 Cup. The dragon bowed to it adversaries.
One team, one boat … a few details to understand what it is about
This morning at 11am, the twelve skippers of the twelve America's Cup teams competiting in the Louis Vuitton Act 10 hold their first press conference at the Media Centre. Quotes.
The programme for today includes repairs to the mast, a five-hour sailing session and more synchronisation workouts. Just one day from Act 10, the atmosphere is electric!
China Team crew list for thursday 11th
Just three days away from the beginning of Act 10, China Team is bursting with energy as it gears up for the big moment: manoeuvres at sea, on land and for some members of the team both at the same time. Working in French-English-Chinese and slang, the atmosphere is great and the crew are in high spirits! Welcome on board...
Sun, wind, waves, and a little rain at the end of the day…, the weather was variable on the Valencian waters today. With a brand new mainsail, the red dragon put on its Sunday clothes for the outing. On board are four Chinese sailors who arrived just last night in Valencia. Back to the scene.
The CHN 79 took to the water for the first time, 28 April at 13 :00, joining the other challengers just off the new America's Cup port in Valencia, Spain.
CHN79 was launched, Thursday 27 April, in Valence. For CHN69’s sistership, it was its first venture into water since Auckland, 2003. CHN79 has been in the shipyard since January, having its tonnage brought up to date. Checked out by CHINA TEAM’s techinical team, the Chinese Second Class America was finally ready for its spectacular design. The first navigation-test is organised to take place today.
Following the “sailing camp” organised in Shenzhen and Hong Kong last March, the Hong Kong businessman and navigator, Franck Pong, who kindly granted the China Team use of his two “maxis” in order to recruit Chinese sailors for the team, invited Pierre Mas and his new Chinese crew to race with him for the President’s Cup in the Philippines. Franck Pong and Pierre Mas on the maxi “Jelik” finally came in third.
Now that the painting is finished, the hull is being varnished this week. At the same time the technical team is installing the systems corresponding to the winches and outfitting of the superstructures. The keel will be added at the end of the week and mast at the beginning of next week. The boat will be launched 25 April. First images of the dragon, under Tinglado 5.
Next week, China Team’s sailing programme falls in the middle of a week of partying in Valencia. This will include Valencia Day on 9th October followed by Hispanidad Day, 12 October. So the next few days will be filled with plenty of navigation but also firework displays, dancing, singing and thousand-year-old traditions. Here is a mini guide to the festivities in the city.
Saturday evening at the Tian Qiao Theatre in Peking, China sang and moved to the rhythm of the America’s Cup. The show, called “China Sails into the America’s Cup” was broadcast throughout China on national television channels and was a great success, enjoyed by all those who tuned in. The America's and Louis Vuitton cups were also present for the event, their first time in China!
Following a strenuous ten days of sailing in Shenzhen and Hong Kong, the CHINA TEAM is back in Europe. Xavier de Lesquen fills us in on the latest news of the TEAM.
CHINA TEAM finished up their first sailing session in China, Sunday. The team enjoyed two days of match racing on 76-foot Maxi yachts in Hong Kong bay, bringing to an end the Sailing Camp.
The team got down to some real work Monday 6 March at the Lonhcheer Marina. Four boats, fourteen Chinese sailors, four French sailors and two coachs organised the first detection session of sailors in China. Luc Gellusseau gives us the latest news.
CHINA TEAM are spending the next ten days between Hong Kong and Shenzhen organising their first Sailing Camp. Fifteen Chinese sailors are taking part alongside CHINA TEAM and are being tested, supervised and trained, both on land and at sea. The point of the exercise is to earn a place within the team which will compete in May in Valence.
The links between China and the 32nd America’s Cup have been strengthened with the announcement of a ‘China sails into the America’s Cup’ concert, which will be staged in Beijing on April 1 of this year.
CHINA TEAM and Lladro recently unveiled the artistic design of CHN79, the boat that China Team will race in the America’s Cup 2006 and more particularly for the Louis Vuitton Valencia Acts 10 to 12. The design was created in close collaboration with Lladro. The Chinese dragon is depicted on the hull of the boat, stretching across the surface in red and yellow in a movement that is both spectacular and original.
Twelve members of China Team’s sporting and technical crew will be in Shenzen and Hong Kong from 3rd to 12th of March next with a view to checking out young Chinese talent. Their objective is to select those sailors who will participate in the regattas in the America’s Cup 2006 and 2007 and eventually create a strong backbone for the China Team in future America’s Cup competitions.
CHINA TEAM, the first Chinese challenge in the history of the America’s Cup, celebrated the Chinese New Year, Tuesday 31 January at the Saint-Ouen offices of Neocles. During the evening CHINA TEAM presented the project for its base in Valencia, Spain.
Since the beginning of January China Team’s technical crew have been working on the deck in Valencia, preparing the Acts 10, 11 and 12 which begin in May, in Spain. Having laid up the CHN69, the team is now preparing the CHN79, the second Chinese America's Cup Class boat in the history of the Cup. The interview which follows is between Luc Gellusseau, director of operations, and Pierre Massé, manager of the technical crew, both responsible for modifiying the new boat and bringing it up to standard.
On the 29 January over a billion Chinese and hundreds of thousands of south-east Asians will celebrate the Chinese New Year. Festivities last for almost two weeks and include many rituals, costumes and traditions. Everyday life comes to a standstill in Peking, Shanghai, Hong-Kong, and in the provinces, from the north to the south, from the east to the west, all over the Middle Kingdom. Chinese families and their friends gather to let off fireworks in the streets, enjoy processions with dragons and feed the deities with copious amounts of sticky rice. The year 2006 will be the Year of the Dog of Fire. What follows will give you some idea of what the Chinese New Year is all about!
CHINA TEAM hoisted the Chinese flag for the first time in the history of the America’s Cup in 2005. In the same year, three Chinese sailors took part in the most prestigious yachting event aboard the CHN69. This winter, before returning to Valence in spring, the Chinese challenger has several tasks to accomplish: the move from Lorient to Valence, the building of a base there, training and several operations in China, and the fitting out of the CHN79, to mention but a few.
As the Boat Show continued to attract the crowds, Lladro organised a CHINA TEAM evening in it’s Paris boutique on 8th December, an ideal opportunity to have a Spanish-French-Chinese celebration.
The CHINA TEAM Business Club welcomes two new companies this week: AOS which specialises in office rental and the Casalonga and Josse Consultancy, which deals in patent rights (letters patent, brands and models). They are, respectively, the 11th and 12th members of the CHINA TEAM Business Club.
Basketball player, model and actress, we meet up with Xin Li over a glass of Vittel on the Champs-Elysées
It couldn't be closer in the last seconds of the last race of Act 9. The final determining race of the pre-regattas was decided by the judges and video replays. The Spanish team Desafio2007 crossed the line a split second ahead of BMW/Oracle which meant that Alinghi would be the winner of this Act. CHINA TEAM finished 10th after having to come back from being over early at the start in over 20 knot winds and big waves.
The 3rd race of Act 9 fleet racing started in an ideal 10-15 knots of wind and sunny skies. The spectator fleet was exceptionally strong, over 250 boats, and the press boats packed. CHINA TEAM lost the struggle get to the favored side in the first race which contributed to their 12th place finish. They would revenge themselves by a close ninth place in the second race when the wind increased.
After a long wait to start in no wind and then 20+ knot breezes CHINA TEAM accumulated two ninth places in the first day of fleet racing. ACT 9, the second event in Trapani was full of lead changes, shifty conditions, and blown spinnakers. Alinghi wasn't in front for once and Shosholoza finished the best of all the teams in fourth place after two races.
The Italian's ruled their waters today and the strong teams were defeated on the last day of match racing in the series of races for 2005. China Team on South course in light wind couldn't keep up with the local team Mascalzone Latino after a close start in the first race. The second and last race of the year rewarded Shosholoza for having a good start and with their new boat speed to victory following the best wind shifts. CHINA TEAM has made a lot of progress as noticed by other teams but “there is no second”.
Under stormy clouds and waves of rain CHINA TEAM were on the verge of their second victory in UIT Germany in their second match. Germany slipped through on the last leg after three close lengths of the course. Even though they lost the first match to Emerates New Zealand in the first match, they managed to stay even with them during the first part of the race which shows the steady progress of the new team from China.
CHINA TEAM's good start was not enough to beat the likes of BMW/Oracle in their first race of the day. A faster boat makes up for small mistakes as Oracle finished 3:22 minutes in a 10+ knt South East wind and sunny skies. Circling like cats, K-Challenge and CHINA TEAM fought for a good position to get to the favored wind near the shore. K-Challenge used a small advantage at the start and good speed to get ahead early which gave her the victory.
CHINA-TEAM won their first match today after the demolition derby of yesterday. It came as a deserved reward for their steady work as the first Chinese America's Cup entry ever in history. CHINA TEAM win came at the expense of +39 which allowed China Team to claim their win. Technical issues forced CHN69 out of the second match.
Wind, waves and sunshine seem like perfect conditions but too much of a good thing puts a strain on boats and people even here in beautiful Trapani. Even before the start Emirates Team New Zealand was putting in bulkheads, Mascalzone in port for repairs and other Teams would have to retire from racing. CHINA TEAM was forced to withdraw due to technical difficulties.
After the coolness of Malmo the first day of the last races of 2005 racing season got off with hot temperatures and light wind. The town of Trapani welcomed all the teams with a enthusiastic Italian celebration complete with fireworks donated by Valencia.
News from the Sailing Team: this time there will be two Chinese on board CHN69. Peirui WANG and Guangyi LIU will alternate the grinder's position. Fei ZHAO will take a big step up and fill in as the strategist. The rest of the team will change very little from sailing in Malmö.
ACM has just made public the official pairings list for the LOUIS VUITTON ACT 8 regattas in Trapani. For CHINA TEAM, the competition will start with two tough competitors, Luna Rossa and Alinghi and finish the regattas against the South-Africans of Shosholoza Challenge on Oct. 4th.
After the Swedish freshness, now to the charm and the sweetness of Italy. 12 challengers are getting ready for last regatta of the season, which will take place at Trapani in Sicily. This final competition of the year, promises to be full of atmosphere. From September 29th until October 9th, three Italian challenges will defend the colors of their country. An honor for Italy, present in the Cup since 1983!
A sailor's day is not over once the boat is at the dock. The maintenance work of an America's Cup Yacht and its sails adds daily work on top the sports efforts on the water. Physically and physiologically, the metabolisms are severely tested. Meeting with Brice Jaffuel and Olivier Maurelli, physical trainers on CHINA TEAM.
No wind and sunshine turned into barely any wind and thick fog as the race committee postponed today’s racing three times before canceling, at 1:00 PM, the last scheduled fleet race. CHINA TEAM had already started packing up their base camp in preparation for the trip to Trapani Italy for Acts VIII and VIIII.
CHINA TEAM struggled in this new fleet racing exercise and finished 12th in both fleet races today. The 250-300 spectator boats out on the water finally got a taste of close America’s cup racing in ideal conditions. Ten knots of consistent wind from the SW the fleets off in races where the positions changed regularly and the finishes had boats overlapped.
The first day of fleet racing for ACT VI started with very high overcast, and about 10 knots of wind but what a roller coaster ride it was to be. Every boat had their wind scouts up the masts and wind went so light the water looked like an oil slick. Oracle went to the beach to get better wind but could they finish before the time limit? It was total confusion whether the first race was going to count. In the end it did count and not only did Oracle win by just a few meters but also allowed CHINA TEAM to catch up from a rough start of the race by passing Victory Challenge.
There wasn’t a cloud in the sky and the breeze much calmer than the beginning of this weeks sailing. CHINA TEAM was matched up with the South African team “Shosoloza” to decide who would be 11th in the standings. Like so many yacht races, it was the last leg of the last race that would decide the winner.
Blustery 20 knot winds and sunshine was the backdrop to witness the rewards for the hard work CHINA TEAM has done to steadily make their team competitive. All the work done to renovate the boat and train the new crew gave them what they needed to defeat the French team “K-Challenge” and give them a needed psychological boost to win their next match.
Big black clouds rolling through the course gave rewards or punishment to those America’s Cup teams who paid attention to them. Was it luck or was it skill? Either way, the Prince of Sweden, Carl Philip was on board to witness a come from behind win against Desafio 2007 with the help of one of those big clouds. China Team put BMW/Oracle through a relentless tacking dual on the first race of the day, which will serve them well in future regattas.
America’s Cup Sailing returned to tactical racing after the full on blustery survival conditions yesterday. The four big teams kept on their winning ways but the middle fleet kept spectators and commentators out of breath. CHINA TEAM shows they still have work to do but the gap is closing.
Wild wind and broken equipment upset the tables as rainsqualls from Denmark blew through the fleets. The Race Committee got quite a workout, say nothing of the teams, when the wind would shift or increase radically. Today rewarded the teams like New Zealand and Luna Rosa for their preparation and shows what it takes makes the difference to stay in the competition and in one piece. Desafío Español 2007 and Shosholoza, to had to drop out because of broken equipment Alinghi was lucky to keep their mast in the boat and many stories will be left untold.
America's Cup racing starts with high drama, broken gear and surprises today in the first day of Official Racing. Even the best teams weren't exempt from broken gear and disasters which you would expect from teams with less experience. Three broken, spinnaker poles, sailors overboard, and teams who couldn't finish gave everyone here a reality check.
The skippers for the Malmö Sweden, 2005 America’s Cup races, were introduced this morning. The attending press, as well as a live broadcast over the Internet, gave a peek on what has changed since the last Acts.
China Team’s second day out sailing in Malmo Sweden created good results and challenges for the week before the competitive sailing. The wind was calm and skies overcast, which allowed the team to warm-up on the deck. Today’s objective is to give the new crew members a work out and test the new keel.
Continuity and integration of the three Chinese sailors will underpin the development and selection of the team that will race in Malmö later this month. We asked Pierre Mas, skipper of China Team, for a bit more detail…
From 23 August to 5 September, the city of Malmö in the south of Sweden will welcome the America’s Cup for Acts 6 and 7 of the Louis Vuitton Series. Just like in Valencia in June, there will be an entire week of match-racing, followed by three days of fleet racing.
This week, we talk to Peirui WANG who comes from Weifang, “Kite City”. At 17 years old, he is an avid reader, and mad about basketball and roller-blading. Peirui only started sailing in 2003, and has been involved in the America’s Cup for all of two months. Formerly a boxer, the young sailor has started learning English and is impatient for sailing in Malmö to begin!
This week we met with Guangyi LIU, a 24 year old grinder on CHN 69. After starting out in athletics, Guangyi LIU was spotted by the Qingdao sailing school and started participating about eight years ago. And he hasn’t stopped since. In 2002, he was 5th in Laser class, then converted to Finn class in October 2004. This year, of course, he has discovered ACC boats and now thinks of little but winning the Cup and learning English!
"There are no boundaries on the water and I am never bored. It is fun to grapple with nature, which is so unpredictable and so challenging!"
For the regattas in Malmö and Trapani, CHN 69 will boast a number of modifications including new sails, a new keel and upgraded winches. Detail as follows…
The America’s Cup is going to Sweden for the first time in 154 years. After Valencia, it’s northward bound – Louis Vuitton Acts VI and VII will be held in Malmö from 25 August to 4 September 2005.
At the end of a close chase on the last beat to leeward, CHINA TEAM took 8th place in the final fleet race of Act V today, finishing ahead of K-Challenge and BMW Oracle Racing. This, coupled with the fact the Team Shosholoza came in last today, means that CHINA TEAM has crept up a place in the rankings, finishing 11th ahead of the South African syndicate.
Daniel Andrieu is one of France’s top boat designers, and has worked for LE DEFI since its inception. He was involved in the design of CHN 69 (formerly FRA 69). Andrieu arrived in Valencia today with fellow designers Hervé Devaux and Philippe Pallu de la Barrière, and talked us through the technical programme for CHINA TEAM over the next few months.
There was a postponement and a late start today as the teams waited for the breeze to build out on the water in Valencia. But it proved worth the wait, with a dramatic start which saw Emirates Team New Zealand leading the pack, and an infringement penalty for Victory Challenge.
Peirui WANG (17) and Guangyi LIU (23) made history today - they are the first two Chinese nationals from a Chinese syndicate to have ever taken part in an America’s Cup regatta. This afternoon on the race course in Valencia, Wang and Liu took turns to navigate CHN69 in the first two regattas of Act V’s fleet races.
The chief operations manager of CHINA TEAM, Luc Gellusseau, is enthusiastic about the young Chinese sailors who have recently come on board. For them, it is a whole new world of experience that puts everything they know about sailing into question…
Zhao Fei is one of the newest CHINA TEAM members and at 23 years old, he has 10 years sailing experience in China. Nick-named ‘Fly’, Zhao started sailing Optimists when he was just 15, then moved onto 420s and 470s – that is, until he was invited by CHINA TEAM to go to Europe to join its first campaign for the 32nd America’s Cup. Ranked second at home in 420 and fifth in 470, he will be representing China in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
CHINA TEAM faced off against Mascalzone Latino – Team Capitalia this afternoon in the final flight of the Act IV series of the Louis Vuitton Cup. A close, exciting race was upset by a technical error on board CHN69 at the final windward mark, allowing the Italians to catch the Chinese team and overtake them on the final beat to mark a fourth point on the scoreboard. CHINA TEAM sits in 11th place going in to Act V of the Louis Vuitton Cup, ahead of Team Shosholoza from South Africa.
The weather and the racing in Valencia today both showed signs of hotting up. Whilst Alinghi and Team New Zealand battled for supremacy on the Juliet course, CHINA TEAM and United Internet Team Germany found themselves embroiled in a closely-fought battle which took some interesting turns on the race course. The German team won the right-hand side of the course and was well-positioned to get round the marks ahead of CHN69. The final mark proved definitive. CHINA TEAM conceded a second defeat to the popular local Spanish team after breaking its boom between races. According to Cup Rules, the team was obliged to enter the start box for ‘racing’ to begin, and ten minutes later, Desafió Español was a point richer.
 
No surprises on the race course in Valencia today. CHINA TEAM conceded honourable defeats against two of the biggest syndicates in the Cup – Luna Rossa Challenge and Emirates Team New Zealand. But even if the rankings remain unchanged at the top of the points table, there is definitely some jockeying for position at the bottom end. With two defeats against Mascalzone Latino and United Internet Team Germany, the South Africans from Shosholoza Challenge are at the bottom of the points table behind CHINA TEAM, who is sitting at 11th place.
After a positive win against Shosholoza yesterday, CHINA TEAM did battle with the Italians and the French today, but couldn’t translate that into points on the board.
CHINA TEAM was defeated twice today, against Italian syndicate +39 challenge and French Team K Challenge. After their victory against Oracle and Luna Rossa, Team New Zealand and Alinghi are now ahead with 6 points.
 
CHINA TEAM drew first-time Cup Challengers Team Shosholoza from the Royal Cape Yacht Club in South Africa for its first match today, and with Syndicate Head Chaoyong Wang on board as 18th man, took its first exciting win in the 32nd America’s Cup.
Results of the day
China Team Thursday 16 June was a big day for CHINA TEAM. The new boat was christened, management announced a new sponsor, the team raced for the very first time under a Chinese flag in Valencian waters, and to cap off an auspicious debut, CHINA TEAM drew – and lost - against powerful defender Alinghi and BMW Oracle Racing.
Three months after its official launch, CHINA TEAM had its first training session last Saturday on the race course in Valencia. CHN69 is the first ACC boat to fly a Chinese flag in the history of the America’s Cup.
TAG Heuer and CHINA TEAM today announced the signing of their partnership in the lead-up to the 32nd America’s Cup.