K-Challenge v5

The French America's Cup team launch their modified boat

K-Challenge haven't stopped the work since the end of the Louis Vuitton Act 3 in Valencia last October. After more than four months at the team's Gandia base just up the coast from Valencia undertaking an intensive design program, FRA 57 is the first of the team's boats to be modified to Version 5 of the ACC Rule. FRA57 was launched today.

Thierry Peponnet, K-Challenge's Skipper : "this first day has been very positive for us. First of all, we were all very happy to go sailing again to begin the 2005 season. This was the first time we started to test the new version, so it gave us a better idea of the work directions we will choose to improve the whole configuration. We will go sailing again tomorrow, and there will already be changes made to start the process".

FRA 60 will also be ready soon to join FRA 57. The two-boat testing and training program will now start in a few weeks in Gandia, with the goal of competing in the next Louis Vuitton Acts 4 and 5. Those next Acts will take place in Valencia in June, then the teams will go to Sweden in Malmö at the end of August for Acts 6&7, and to Trapani in Sicily in October for Acts 8&9.

Dawn Riley, K-Challenge's General Manager, was also on the boat today: "we sailed for about two hours. This was mainly to ease in the new systems on the boat. We had perfect conditions today for our first sail out of Gandia. The cold and rainy conditions of the past couple of weeks were worth it when we saw the snow on the mountains in brilliant warm sunshine and about 10 knots of wind. On the way in and the way out, we exchanged waves with the Real Club Nautico de Gandia junior sailors."

K-Challenge is now beginning a new phase in its program, as testing and training are crucial for the 2005 season Acts.