Images from San Diego- Modified BOR90 has her first sail + video

by Gilles Martin-Raget on 30 Oct 2009
BMW Oracle Racing took their America's Cup Challenger, BOR90 out for her first sail after around five weeks of modifications were undertaken in the builder's shed in San Diego.

The major changes which are confirmed in these photos include a new mast (with a hard wing believed to be on its way); the centreboard has been removed, as has the main rudder; an engine has been fitted to provide power for the hydraulic systems which now power the winches instead of an eight strong grinding team.

BOR90 took to the water on Thursday to resume testing ahead of the 33rd America's Cup.

The BOR 90 was at sea for nearly six hours in its first testing session since undergoing significant modifications. Now equipped with an engine to drive the on board hydraulic systems, the boat sails with less crew than before, as the grinders who previously provided the horsepower on the boat stay ashore.



This first sailing session was primarily an extension of the shoreside tests that have been ongoing since the boat returned to the water on Sunday evening. Various sails were raised and lowered and all on board systems were checked.

The final hour on the water saw a the team begin to stretch their legs with a long beat up the coast to Point Loma in generally light conditions although a long, rolling Pacific swell was left over from windy conditions on Wednesday.

'It was a good day,' said helmsman Jimmy Spithill. 'We ticked some things off the checklist and made some good progress. It's great for the team to be sailing again. It's such an awesome boat to sail that I just can't wait to get out there again tomorrow.'

On the water testing continues on Friday.