America's Cup: Oracle Racing are the first team AC45 to sail

10:43 AM Mon 14 Mar 2011 GMT

'14/03/2011 - Auckland (NZL) - ORACLE Racing - ORACLE Racing AC45 assembly and finalization - Oracle Racing - First sail 14 March 2011' Gilles Martin-Raget/Oracle Racing.com Click Here to view large photo

Oracle Racing team became the first America's Cup squad to sail its own AC45 when it went for a short shakedown sail in Auckland on Monday afternoon. For the first time out, the team was on the water for about 90 minutes, checking systems and ensuring everything on the newly branded AC45 was 'shipshape'. More serious testing and training will take place later this week. 'Today was great, absolutely beautiful. It was really Auckland at it's best today? Perfect moderate nor-easterly, warm t-shirt weather, 12 knots,' said Murray Jones, an afterguard member on the team. 'Everything went well, just like ...

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by Gilles Martin-Raget