Yachting: New generation America's Cup boat on heavy lift flight to Valencia

BMW Oracle Racing's first new America's Cup boat has arrived in Valencia - by plane.

The 24m carbon fibre hull was flown from Seattle to Valencia in an Antonov cargo plane.

The syndicate, headed by Oracle boss Larry Ellison, have yet to reveal the yacht's sail number but it is likely to be either USA87 or USA90.

Of the new generation boats, South Africa's Shosholoza have RSA83, Emirates Team New Zealand NZL84, Italy's +39 ITA85, Luna Rossa ITA86, Spain's Desafio Espanol ESP88, United Internet Team Germany GER89 and Alinghi SUI91 - leaving the numbers 87 and 90.

Oracle chief executive and skipper, New Zealander Chris Dickson, said the delivery of their first new generation boat marks an important milestone in their campaign.

"Now we are faced with the challenge of developing this boat to its full potential," Dickson said in a statement.

Oracle design co-ordinator Ian Burns said he hoped they had achieved what their sailing team asked for: "A fast strong boat that they can match race at the highest level".

"Now we begin the next arduous task of extracting the maximum performance from the new platform.

"Every trick we had for getting the best from our old boats now has to be confirmed or modified for the new boats. Now the hard work is in front of the sailing and performance teams."

The yacht will be launched at a christening ceremony on March 27 at the team base in Valencia.