PROLOGUE Sep 28, 21:47
20:15 Wed -- USA-76 and the sailing team have just returned from the opening ceremony. The yachts paraded past tens of thousands of cheering people lining the harbour here in Trapani. Biggest crowd anyone on our team can remember for the opening of a regatta, AC or otherwise.
The opening press conference with the skippers is well-reported on our team's main site, as is the other big event of the day -- the announcement of our new main sponsor Allianz. The "eagle" has landed, and needless to say we are delighted the eagle chose BMW ORACLE.
The blue and white branding looks great on the mainsail and the hull. While no doubt there is some envy among the other teams that we have secured a third leading global company, we have also been pleasantly surprised by how many friends on the other teams have been congratulatory and genuinely happy to see another great company involved in the Cup and sailing in general. We hope this might help other teams still in the market for sponsors by convincing any on the fence that the new AC era is a smart investment. It is, indeed, a good day for our team, and the sport, when a company like Allianz comes aboard.
Chris Bedford is still predicting light air for tomorrow. Raceable though maybe not at 12:30 when the warning signal for the first flight is scheduled. However, Friday and Saturday look windy and rough, possible 1-metre seas.
Click here for the pairing list for tomorrow's two "flights."
15:00 -- Signing ceremony at the base today after new main sponsor
Allianz was announced at a well-attended press conference over at the
media center.
15:10 -- The Allianz eagle has landed.
15:30 -- Dicko conducting a quick pre-regatta team meeting in
the sail loft before the sailing teamed docked out this afternoon
for some practice racing against ETNZ.
20:00 -- Massive fireworks show tonight after the opening ceremony,
presumably sponsored by Valencia. Photo courtesy of Kevin Batten.
21:30 -- Spontaneous pizza party in one of our team containers, at the
end of another 15-hour day.
The opening press conference with the skippers is well-reported on our team's main site, as is the other big event of the day -- the announcement of our new main sponsor Allianz. The "eagle" has landed, and needless to say we are delighted the eagle chose BMW ORACLE.
The blue and white branding looks great on the mainsail and the hull. While no doubt there is some envy among the other teams that we have secured a third leading global company, we have also been pleasantly surprised by how many friends on the other teams have been congratulatory and genuinely happy to see another great company involved in the Cup and sailing in general. We hope this might help other teams still in the market for sponsors by convincing any on the fence that the new AC era is a smart investment. It is, indeed, a good day for our team, and the sport, when a company like Allianz comes aboard.
Chris Bedford is still predicting light air for tomorrow. Raceable though maybe not at 12:30 when the warning signal for the first flight is scheduled. However, Friday and Saturday look windy and rough, possible 1-metre seas.
Click here for the pairing list for tomorrow's two "flights."
)
15:00 -- Signing ceremony at the base today after new main sponsorAllianz was announced at a well-attended press conference over at the
media center.
)
15:10 -- The Allianz eagle has landed.)
15:30 -- Dicko conducting a quick pre-regatta team meeting inthe sail loft before the sailing teamed docked out this afternoon
for some practice racing against ETNZ.
)
20:00 -- Massive fireworks show tonight after the opening ceremony,presumably sponsored by Valencia. Photo courtesy of Kevin Batten.
)
21:30 -- Spontaneous pizza party in one of our team containers, at theend of another 15-hour day.
by TFE
