Oracle's new yacht to continue testing in San Diego

Oracle Racing's new 90-foot multihull yacht, which will lead the US team's bid for next year's America's Cup in Spain, will be relocated to San Diego for training, the team announced Wednesday.

"With light breeze and flat water, Anacortes (in Washington State) has been the ideal place to sea trial our new boat," said team helmsman James Spithill when confirming the ongoing testing plans.

"We will move the team to San Diego for two months to extend the sailing season in the warmer climate of Southern California."

San Diego was the home of the America's Cup during the San Diego Yacht Club's reign as Defender from 1987-1995.

The boat is expected to arrive by barge in San Diego by the end of September.

The 33rd edition of the America's Cup, yachting's showpiece event, could take place in the Mediterranean port of Valencia in eastern Spain if a long-running court battle over the rules of the event between the two teams ends with a decision in favour of Oracle.

Swiss team Alinghi, which won the last edition of the America's Cup held in 2007 in Valencia, have begun building their own multihull boat for the duel which should be ready at the start of 2009 in case the duel goes ahead.

Source: www.turkishpress.com