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BMW Oracle Racing began the final
two-boat race training session in the lead-up to
LV Act 13 and the 2007 LV Cup starting next month
in Valencia.
The team’s two 2007-generation race yachts USA 98
and USA 87 lined up together for the first time
today as skipper Chris Dickson and the sailing team
performed a series of tests and in-house races in
the waters off Valencia today.
"It is great to be here in Valencia in the race
venue with our two race yachts," Dickson said. "We’ve
achieved a lot but there is still plenty to do.
With our end-goal now in sight with racing about
to begin, there is a renewed energy and focus within
the team".
"Everyone is aware of how intense the racing
will be through the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s
Cup", he added. "Now the challenge is
to reach our maximum performance at the right time."
The team sea-trialed USA 98 in New Zealand and
ran a two-boat race training session there in January
and February. USA 98 arrived to Valencia by Antonov
February 23 and underwent on-the-water technical
checks last week. USA 87 also sailed last week for
the first time following winter modifications.
"We now have two 2007-model America’s Cup Class
yachts," Dickson said. "All we learned
from USA 87 in 2006 was incorporated into USA 98.
The winter period also gave us the opportunity to
upgrade USA 87, bringing 87 into the current model
year. We now have the hardware in place to do the
job."
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