With a victory in its first race on board the AC40, the Orient Express Racing Team has completed the first day of competition of the America's Cup Preliminary Regatta in the second position of the general

The two complicated tests held today in Vilanova i la Geltru, Spain, have tested the management of the ships of the entire fleet and have stressed the importance of keeping the AC40 on their foils in the conditions of the smooth and changing wind that have dominated the day.

In the first test, the Orient Express Racing Team has surprised with a port-rigged exit in the initial fencing, which the Quentin Delapierre and Kevin Peponnet pilots have been able to translate into an advantage in the dismantling beacon, while flight controllers Matthieu Vandame and Jason Saunders kept the AC40 flying.

The decreasing breeze has caused the entire fleet to release its foils and to move in mode, with the French team in a duel of transfered with the Italian Moon Rossa Prada Pirelli as they approached the line of arrival on the shortened route. In the quarrel, the Italians have suffered a penalty and the Orient Express Racing Team has been able to cross the line, awarding the victory and 10 very valuable points.

The second test has started with a breeze of equal light and only Alinghi Red Bull Racing, at first, and Emirates Team New Zealand, which has been the final winner, have been able to climb their foils... Orient Express Racing Team has been third in the race, adding five more points, leaving them in second position of the general, although tied to points with the Defense of the America's Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand.

2023-09-13: In Vilanova first competitive encounter of the AC40 mini cups

The Orient Express Racing Team has announced an experienced crew for the first Preliminary Regatta of the 37th America's Cup in 2024, while the team is preparing for its competitive debut on board the new AC40

The skipper Quentin Delapierre will take the rudder next to the co-pilot Kevin Peponnet, while the trimmers Matthieu Vandame and Jason Saunders will be in charge of maintaining the monocasco with high-tech foils at full performance in the race field.

The event, which will take place in the cultural center of Vilanova i la Geltru, in the province of Barcelona, will bring together for the first time the six teams that compete in the America's Cup outside its training and practice headquarters.

In the Pre-Trial Regatta that begins tomorrow and will take place until Sunday, a series of fleet regats will be held that will begin on Friday and will determine the two best teams that will go on to face in match- race one to one to determine the winner.

The Pre-Liminal Regatta of Vilanova i la Geltru will follow a second event in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from November 29 to December 2, and a final preregata in Barcelona in August, where the teams will compete for the first time with their new AC75.