BMW Oracle to sail without wingsail, initially

9:17 AM Sun 17 Jan 2010 GMT

'33rd America's Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing - using her regular mast' BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget Click Here to view large photo

From photos released today on the BMW Oracle Racing team blog it would seem that BOR90 as she is still known will be sailing without her wingsail and will be testing her previous mast, which was rebuilt after being broken, in San Diego.

No announcement has been made of the sailing intentions for BOR90, Alinghi 5 commenced her sailing program two days ago.

Speaking at a team meeting late last week, in valencia, CEO Russell Coutts convened an all-hands meeting to address the troops.

'The important thing now is how we use our time in the next three weeks,' he said.

33rd America's Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing - BOR90 is readied for launching - BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

'I think there will be a massive amount of interest in this America's Cup. and we all face a tremendous amount of pressure to get this right. We aren't going to get a second chance. So we have to do everything possible to make sure we are all thinking of every contingency, that we're 100% prepared, and that we don't get complacent.

'It's up to all of us individually to know what is required and to be the best we can be as it is a big challenge that lies ahead of us.

33rd America's Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing - BOR90 rolls out of the shed. - BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

'We've achieved the first milestone in getting the boat here and ready. The boat is in a fantastic state. Now it's up to us to finish it off properly.'

As of last Saturday morning there were 23 days to go to the start of the 33rd Match.

For further stories and images from BMW Oracle Racing see their blog bmworacleracingblog.blogspot.com/

33rd America’s Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing - BOR90 afloat on the Med waiting for her mast to be stepped. - BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

33rd America's Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing - the regular mast being stepped aboard BOR90 - BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget Click Here to view large photo

33rd America's Cup - BMW ORACLE Racing - Russell Coutts addressing the BMW Oracle Racing team meeting - BMW Oracle Racing &copy Photo Gilles Martin-Raget

by Richard Gladwell