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.

All the material just recently arrived in Valence. Two Class America (CHN46, CHN79), a travelift and 12 containers left Lorient (France) to be added to the rest of the material under the Tinglado 5, China Team’s temporary base.

The former back-up boat, the Katayaka, is in the shipyard being modified and adapted for its new mission. It will arrive in Valence at the beginning of 2006 and be used as a VIP boat for the LV Acts 2006.

The syndicate will race the Acts 2006 on the CHN79, the second boat of the 2003 Défi generation.

The technical team is working flat out to bring this boat up to the standards of the V5 tonnage. CHN79 will be ready to sail in the spring of 2006. With a practically new hull, structure and deck, it will be a guarantee of solidity and reliability.

The site allocated to the China Teamis still being used by Valence’s fishermen. The renovations can begin as soon as the site is available which should be at the beginning of 2006.

The architectural project has been awarded to the Loci Anima agency. It was chosen in liaison with America’s Cup Management (ACM) and the Consortium, and will be officially presented at the end of January in Paris during the Chinese New Year celebrations. The technical studies are already underway.

ACM has offered China Team a working space of 1,200 square metres under the Tinglado 5, until the base has been built.

Things are going to hot up in China in 2006. The first training session will take place in Shenzen and Hong Kong from 3-14 March 2006.

In conjunction with the Chinese Yachting Association (CYA) it will be a week of match racing and a chance to train and discover new, young blood among the Chinese yachting community so that they can navigate as quickly as possible on Class America. The next session will take place in Qingdao in July.

CHN 69 and 79 were turned out in France for the 31st America’s Cup. However the 32nd Cup will see the first Class America made in China.

Construction will begin mid-2006 and be ready for sailing beginning of 2007. A technical crew from the China Team is in the process of selecting available sites to begin this construction. The chosen site will be announced beginning 2006.