Barcelona brings to The Race top-quality infrastructures. Boats literally rest at the centre of the city. The team that takes care of the city's involvement in The Race is the same that managed its candidacy for the Olympics.
Sailing finds in Spain fertile breeding ground.
Lending them a hand was one more reason to come here. The Race must be as international as possible. There have been signs of feverish activity around the Spanish compound since ESP-47 arrived on Tuesday from Valencia. Its debut on the Hauraki Gulf has been timed for Saturday, several days before skipper Pedro Campos arrives in Auckland. Bravo, however, will be alone on the Gulf.