NZL57 arrives

K-Challenge take delivery of their new Cup boat

K-Challenge has received its first boat, FRA 57, in La Ciotat. After a long trip from New Zealand, and one stop in La Spezia in Italy, FRA 57 (ex-NZL 57) has been towed to La Ciotat to get her first taste of her new country.

The K-Challenge technical team and the shore crew have been preparing their first IACC boat for two days now in La Ciotat. The boat is due to leave for Marseille on Friday August 27 if the weather is fine, ready for Act 1 of the 32nd America's Cup.

Oncein Marseilles, the design team will do begin their test program while sailing in the Marseille's area on 28-29 August before letting the sailing team take over operations from Monday 30 August, for a week of intensive training.

This week culminate on Friday 3 September with the christening ceremony of the boat with famous French actors Christian Clavier and Thierry Lhermitte.

FRA 57 will then take part to the official opening parade event on Saturday 4 September with the five other teams which came for the event, while they wait with great impatience to hear the start signal of the first race on 5 September.