Peter Isler submits this report to Scuttlebutt, providing his insight on the events surrounding the build up toward the 2007 America's Cup. Photo by Gilles Martin-Raget.

Isler peering over Chris Dickson

(April 24, 2006) Two days of big seas and big NE breeze have kept the AC boats off the water so far this week, but that’s bound to change soon and the BMW ORACLE Racing team is looking forward to shifting our focus towards the upcoming regattas (ACT 10 – Match Racing and ACT 11 – Fleet Racing) which begin here in Valencia on May 11.

For the sailors, these mandatory regattas provide an opportunity to do what we love … race sailboats. And for our team it’s a time to shift gears a bit from the vital two-boat testing that we’ve been running since the launch of our new boat, USA 87 four weeks ago. But with the Louis Vuitton Cup less than a year away, this is crunch time. Every Cup team faces the challenge of prioritizing development projects – time is no longer plentiful. Although it seems like just yesterday the America’s Cup was several years away… it’s now virtually around the corner. And the decisions that are being made right now here in Valencia will likely determine who will win the Cup.

Here at BMW ORACLE Racing, we are doing all we can to ensure that team is us. We’ve got a great team of people and thanks to our partners and sponsors, the resources to cover a lot of ground very efficiently. But for the next few weeks the focus will be on the sailors and the support team that keeps our boats, sails and equipment race-ready. We’re looking forward to it … the first official AC boat racing since Trapani, Sicily last October. We can’t wait! - Peter Isler, Navigator, BMW Oracle Racing Team