Mean Machine number 22 hits the water in Valencia

Mean Machine number 22 hits th © Sander Van der Borch / Mean Machine

Just 24 hours and counting to the official ceremony to celebrate the launch of the brand new Mean Machine TP52, and Peter de Ridder’s crew have already started training on the water in Valencia, Spain.

Following over a week putting together the new TP52 designed by Rolf Vrolijk and built in New Zealand, the new boat has been out feeling the waves beneath her hull lead by the skilled hand of Kiwi tactician Ray Davies.

With Peter de Ridder away today, Ray Davies has been in charge of the first training sessions out on the water. The first splash in the Med definitely gave the guys both on shore and at sea a good first impression. “The first day of sailing our new Mean Machine went well, we are very impressed with the stiffness and power the new boat can generate”, commented the Louis Vuitton Cup 2007 winner. “We have made a huge effort to reduce windage and are very happy with how the systems on the boat are working and that’s a credit to Chris Reid (Reido) and his team. We have been making the good use of the Emirates Team New Zealand base and working long hours to get to this day. We are even sleeping onsite!”

“Peter will have his first sail of his 22nd race boat on Saturday and we are pretty sure he will be impressed”, added Ray Davies. “We have busy 11 days ahead to make sure we’re fully race ready for the first Audi Med Cup event in Alicante”.