Estrella Damm, Offshore Challenges entry into the Barcelona World Race, put through her paces on Solent 17/7/07

The new, vibrant red, IMOCA Open 60 Estrella Damm, Offshore Challenges entry into the Barcelona World Race, has been launched from the Medina Yard on the Isle of Wight and is currently being put through her paces on the Solent.

This new Farr design (sistership of Jeremie Beyou’s Delta Dore) which took eight months to build is now undergoing intense sea trials in preparation for the start of the double-handed Barcleona World Race which starts in just four months.

With time ticking by for the 11 November start, the co-skippers for the race Guillermo Altadill and Jonathan McKee (see previous news story here),are concentrating their efforts on completing all the essential preparation work.

Commenting on the first week’s sailing, Altadill said: “It’s good to have the boat in the water and floating. We go sailing everyday and make new work lists everyday! The boat is fun, she is very similar to the Volvo 70s. We test everything in real conditions to improve the systems.”