Mascalzone Latino announces construction has begun on the first of the two new boats for the America's Cup 2007.

As required by the protocol, the hull will be constructed in Italy. The construction is under the supervision of Ximo Lopez and his group of technicians at Marine Composite of Vittorio Urbinati, based in Andora (Savona).

Ximo Lopez is well known for his work with Spanish yard Longitud O in building the Pisco Sour, Vasco Vascotto's TP52 that won the MedCup 2005 circuit.

Marine Composite is a partner of Daire Chemicals S.p.A. of Pianezza (Torino), an industry leader in distribution and assistance of technopolymers.

The boatyard at Andora includes state of the art systems for the application of pre-impregnate carbon fibres. The model was built in Pamplona by MTorres, an industrial group specialised in automation and control systems.

Construction of the new Mascalzone Latino should come to an end this winter, with the boat then being fully finished and equipped in Valencia. The launch of the new boat is scheduled for March.

The new boat is designed by Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Design Group. Led by Harry Dunning, the research and development group is an international team of designers and engineers combining a vast experience in America's Cup campaigns.

The Mascalzone Latino Design Group, in addition to Dunning, includes Rick Harris, Chris Mairs, Joe Laiosa, Mark McCafferty, Fabrizio Marabini, Will Brooks, Duncan MacLane, Rodrigo Quesada, Marco Savelli and Giovanni Cassinari.