BMW Oracle Decamps to San Diego

BMW Oracle Racing will be changing latitudes at the end of the month, moving its monster trimaran to San Diego to continue the work-up of this impressive beast. At over 100-ft of LOA, the Deed of Gift challenger has a sailplan that far exceeds any of the world’s giant multihulls like Orange II, Groupama 3 and the new Banque Populaire — the mainsail requires a crane to be loaded on and off the boat. Getting to know a boat with power like that, and for which there is really not much existing knowledge, begets a cautious approach to sea trials.

“With light breeze and flat water, Anacortes has been the ideal place to sea trial
our new boat,“ said team helmsman James Spithill when confirming the ongoing
testing plans. “We will move the team to San Diego for two months to extend the
sailing season in the warmer climate of Southern California.”

There’s no word if the Bay will be the next step for the team in their testing of the giant, but we wonder if the boat would just run out of room up here. . . .