AREVA Christen FRA 93

Congrats to our colleagues Dawn Riley and George Clyde and our other friends at the AREVA Challenge on the christening of their new ACC yacht last evening here in Valencia. Approximately 400 team members and guests gathered under a special tent erected for the occasion on the hard in front of their team base.

After a couple speeches and a great video, all team members were invited to the stage. Then the big red curtain behind them was opened to reveal the light-grey FRA 93 -- with a significantly turned-up nose and, by all accounts, an interesting transom. Details on the AREVA Challenge website.



We may not be in Kansas anymore, or Berkeley for that matter, but do pay attention to that boat behind the curtain. Photo courtesy of AREVA Challenge.



The big moment last evening. Photo courtesy of Pierre Orphanidis and his Valencia Sailing website, where there are more excellent photos to be found.

Tent Time

Alinghi is not the only team to be erecting tents of late. The structure above has appeared in the past 24 hours or so in the Port America's Cup, in front of the AREVA Base, presumably for the naming ceremony and celebration of their new ACC yacht FRA 93 this Friday evening (as with all such team events, by invitation only).



Alinghi's new winter training compound in Dubai, UAE.

New Arrival: FRA 93

Congrats to AREVA Challenge on the arrival this afternoon of their new ACC yacht, FRA 93, at their base in the Port America's Cup.