But it will take several months of shakedown

Valencia. The morning ends barely and the heat makes ooze the asphalt of the port. On the interim basis of China Team, who defends the official colours of China, the sailors get agitated. They prepare the regatta which defy Areva Challenge, the French challenger. An old acquaintance. China Team is an offshoot of the Areva Challenge who had participated in the 31st Edition of the 2003 America's Cup in Auckland, New Zealand. The sponsor, Areva, world leader in nuclear power, did not wish to continue to fund the boat. The challenge was then turned to China to find new sponsors. Three years later, in April, Areva has created the surprise on the way back in the race, alongside K-Challenge this time, to form the Areva Challenge team. A volte-face that also earned him little pine comments of the leaders of China Team.

This game has a distinctive flavor. The moment is historical on the China Team: this is the first Chinese ship to enter the competition. The mix of nationalities among the crew, Chinese, French and Polish, do not always facilitate communication, but the good mood is. Without sufficient preparation, China Team remains far behind his main opponents. The presence of prestigious sponsors as watches Tag Heuer, Lladró, the manufacturer of porcelain (originally from Valencia), and the provider of services Neocles was not enough to complete the budget. But the team expected for July the arrival of a new boat built in China, which should change the situation. But it will take several months of shakedown. Once the sails is loaded, Class America, which has no engine, left the car dock. On board, the mood is cheerful, to tells information or gleaned here gossip about the other teams. After a snack, the mainsail is hoisted, a Genoese sent. Charles Lim Yi Wong, Stokers, fixed his headlamp to dive into the bowels of the ship where he is preparing the sails. After several manoeuvres warm-up, the race Committee launches the departure procedure. Pierre Mas, the skipper, perfectly returned to time in the "box" of pre-departure. But, in the face, Thierry Peponnet, the French skipper of Areva, manages to take the advantage from the rules of priority.

The hull of the China Team, red and yellow, is decorated with a majestic dragon. That AREVA is bounded by a black and white marking which looks like a huge organ. The Class America are turning around. Separated by a few centimetres, the teams are observed. Words, gestures, the attention, the lower inflection is guettée by the opponent. The tension mounts, the Cree flying, manoeuvres are cycled through. China Team comes to be placed between the line and his opponent. But at take off, the race Committee enacts that the dragon has "stolen" the departure. It should be back to set off again. The French organ benefits for "swim" with several lengths of advance.

First, the boat back into the wind. Impressive. Even if the thermal breeze is not very high, around 13 knots, China Team strongly deposit and its carbon structure groaned with each wave. Sébastien Déstremau, the tactician, has done a beautiful job focusing on the left, more favourable side. China Team guard contact, but after the first mark to Windward, the spi is more complicated with the Valencian wind very unstable. Zhao Fei, nicknamed "Fly" by the crew, is sent to mast head to "feel" good options. Head, the French let go nothing and Areva Challenge prevails. The two teams finish tenth and twelfth, respectively of the Louis Vuitton Act 10. On the water, everyone already expected the Louis Vuitton Cup which begins in April 2007. The organ and the dragon will again have the opportunity to compete.

BOX .

Chaoyong Wang and Li Yifei: the roaring couple

"I am a private investor who has had some success." Thus arises Chaoyong Wang, 42 years old, the young skipper of the China Team boat. After a start on Wall Street, he runs for twelve years case Bank Morgan Stanley in Beijing. He eventually found his own investment fund, China Equity Investment, which is interested in the Telecom, media and new technologies. At the head of MTV and Viacom in China, his wife Li Yifei was ranked among the 50 most powerful businesswomen in the world by Fortune magazine. It was also champion national Kung-Fu. To them two, they embarked on the adventure of the America's Cup with the French structure of the challenge. The purpose of this couple, symbol of the new Chinese economy, is clear: win. Even if they know that this may take some time.