BRRRR... Aug 12, 09:17
BMWOR advance team for Malmoe -- logisitics manager Grant "Guthrie" Davidson (NZL), sailing team manager Aimee "Aimster" Hess (USA) and yard manager Scotty "Big Equipment" Sandford (NZL) -- report that things are shaping up very well in the Swedish city.
And, no surprise, it is cool. Daily highs are 14-16 deg. C., there is chilly 20 kt onshore wind, and they have not seen much sun. Those of you who live or have lived in northern Europe know that can all change overnight, and this time of year you can just easily have a week of summer as winter. Here's hoping for the former. Otherwise it is going to be some shock for us "Valencianos" who are more accustomed by now to daily highs of twice that.
Thank goodness we have all just received new fleece jumpers from our clothing partner, Henri Lloyd. Long-johns anyone?
The MSC ship with the AC yachts and materiel will arrive over the weekend, Operations Director Laurent "Lafayette" Esquier (FRA) and our shore team begin arriving on Monday, and by the end of next week when the sailing team and others arrive all should be set up and ready to go.
In addition to the Swedish Victory Challenge switching from SWE 63 to SWE 73, the newer of their 2003 yachts, one also hears that in Malmoe the South African Challenge, Shosholoza, will have a new helmsman -- veteran match racer and former AC skipper Chris Law (GBR).
It will be interesting to see who Alinghi has on the wheel. They have three helmsman on their team: Peter Homberg (USA), Ed Baird (USA) and Jochen Schuemann (GER). Peter steered the Valencia Acts. Some have suggested that we can expect to see Ed Baird on the wheel in Malmoe, and Jochen driving in Trapani. Will be interesting to see who has the best hands, and sharpest elbows.
By the way, Malmoe is just across the bridge from Copenhagen, which has one of Europe's best international airports, so it is a cinch to get to Malmoe. Mirko reports that our sponsor-partners will again be bringing many VIP guests, so we are looking forward to another large group of supporters in Malmoe -- as we had in Valencia.
The Oresund Bridge, the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe,
links Sweden and Denmark for the first time since the last Ice Age.
Oresund Bridge.
Check the Challenger Commission blog for other info on Malmoe.
And, no surprise, it is cool. Daily highs are 14-16 deg. C., there is chilly 20 kt onshore wind, and they have not seen much sun. Those of you who live or have lived in northern Europe know that can all change overnight, and this time of year you can just easily have a week of summer as winter. Here's hoping for the former. Otherwise it is going to be some shock for us "Valencianos" who are more accustomed by now to daily highs of twice that.
Thank goodness we have all just received new fleece jumpers from our clothing partner, Henri Lloyd. Long-johns anyone?
The MSC ship with the AC yachts and materiel will arrive over the weekend, Operations Director Laurent "Lafayette" Esquier (FRA) and our shore team begin arriving on Monday, and by the end of next week when the sailing team and others arrive all should be set up and ready to go.
In addition to the Swedish Victory Challenge switching from SWE 63 to SWE 73, the newer of their 2003 yachts, one also hears that in Malmoe the South African Challenge, Shosholoza, will have a new helmsman -- veteran match racer and former AC skipper Chris Law (GBR).
It will be interesting to see who Alinghi has on the wheel. They have three helmsman on their team: Peter Homberg (USA), Ed Baird (USA) and Jochen Schuemann (GER). Peter steered the Valencia Acts. Some have suggested that we can expect to see Ed Baird on the wheel in Malmoe, and Jochen driving in Trapani. Will be interesting to see who has the best hands, and sharpest elbows.
By the way, Malmoe is just across the bridge from Copenhagen, which has one of Europe's best international airports, so it is a cinch to get to Malmoe. Mirko reports that our sponsor-partners will again be bringing many VIP guests, so we are looking forward to another large group of supporters in Malmoe -- as we had in Valencia.
The Oresund Bridge, the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe,
links Sweden and Denmark for the first time since the last Ice Age.
Oresund Bridge.
Check the Challenger Commission blog for other info on Malmoe.
General | by TFE
