Yachting: Winding up USA87 for the challenge

What has the team been up to since last year's final regatta in Trapani?

BMW Oracle Racing has had a busy six months since the last regattas in Trapani. We completed construction of our new team base in Valencia, built our new race boat, and launched our new boat here in Valencia.

Earlier in the Valencia winter [New Zealand summer] we did some match racing in the New Zealand Grade 1 events to keep the guys sailing over the winter break. But our main focus has been on sailing our two boats here in Valencia.

How is your new boat USA87 going?

We've been sailing USA87 for about a month now and working it up to be race ready. In addition to the sea trials and testing, we have been doing a lot of in-house racing as well as hooking up with other challengers for informal racing which has all been great preparation for the pre-regattas.

You have indicated you are racing USA76 in first pre-regatta. Why that boat?

We are still working USA87 into race trim.

In terms of technology has it been difficult to decide what you "show" this year and what you keep secret?

Each Cup always brings new innovations in technology. It then becomes a balance between what you reveal and the testing time required to develop the new technology.

What are your thoughts on Team NZ's NZL84 and Luna Rossa's ITA86?

Both are pretty impressive and are leaps forward from the last generation. NZL84 looks to be targeted toward lighter to moderate breeze and ITA86 is an out-of-the-box improvement over their previous boats.

What are BMW Oracle's aims for this year's regattas?

We want to stay on top of the challenger table, check in with the other teams' development since last season and learn what we can about the conditions one year out from the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Are you planning to rotate the crew a lot during these regattas?

We have a core race squad but there will be rotations based on the workloads.

How is life in Valencia?

I have been living here full time for three months with my family and feel settled in. Now I know where to get good steaks!

In my spare time, I take short family trips to the greater Valencia area. We also enjoy taking the opportunity to see a little bit of Europe when we have a long weekend.