Trying to determine what is best for the future of the America’s Cup, the event’s organisers held trials in Valencia (Spain), comparing the excitement potential of monohulls and multihulls. The latter category was, not surprisingly, represented by two Extreme 40 catamarans! Having been used as training platforms by both Defender and Challenger in the run-up to the recent Deed of Gift match that saw the Cup return to American ownership, the high-octane machines of the Extreme Sailing Series have showed their mettle in Valencia, where Red Bull Extreme Sailing skipper Roman Hagara and team mate Hans Peter Steinacher joined in the fun. Read Roman’s report below, with less than one week to go before the start of the Cowes Week leg of the 2010 season.

Photo by Gilles Martin-Raget / http://www.americascup.com

“Last night a northeasterly wind kicked up a short, sharp nasty wave pattern outside the harbor. These were not the conditions that V5 America’s Cup Class boats would have coped with, but the Extreme 40s gave it a try anyway. But with the wind blowing 15 to 18 knots, the crash-bang ride, and drenching conditions threatened to damage the expensive television and audio equipment. So time was called on the day’s testing.

For us, the waves were fun, but for the TV guys, it was a little wet. The plan was to duplicate yesterday’s session, with a lot of match racing maneuvers, but because of the wind and waves it wasn’t possible with the Extreme 40s.

Photo by Gilles Martin-Raget / http://www.americascup.com

I haven’t match-raced a whole lot, but it’s different, I like it. It can be stressful in close-quarters and mark roundings, you have to make quick decisions. The America’s Cup is the most important regatta for sailing. Hopefully the future is in multihulls.”

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