America's Cup: 40 days before the start of the Cup: Insights from record winner Coutts

Russell Coutts has won the America's Cup five times with three different teams from just as many countries. With 13 Cup victories, the New Zealander leads the all-time list of Cup helmsmen ahead of "Mr America's Cup" Dennis Conner (12 wins). In the meantime, the 55-year-old has changed sides and is no longer active as a sailor in the America's Cup, but is shaping the most famous sailing regatta in sporting history as CEO of the organising America's Cup Event Authority (ACEA). After the second of three test and training series, in which four of the five challengers and the defenders from Oracle Team USA took part off Bermuda, Coutts now comments in a video message on the teams' performance on the water and the preparations for the 35th edition of the Cup from 26 May (opening ceremony).

The champion does the honours: Russell Coutts talks in the first part about the status of the preparations of the teams and the land organisers

"At this stage, Artemis is looking very strong, even though many of the other teams are not far behind," said Coutts, after the Swedes had presented themselves as invincible in the training encounters with 9:0 victories. Coutts also gives the Brits high marks: "I think Land Rover BAR has made a lot of progress over the last month and a half and is starting to look pretty promising." The starts, says Coutts, will be of great importance. Starting under the other boat is obviously "pretty crucial".

Coutts' view of the preparations on land was - how could it be otherwise under his leadership - extremely positive. Not at all modestly, Coutts said: "This is probably the best structure that has ever existed." The video shows in advance the attractions and infrastructure with which the America's Cup will welcome athletes, fans and sponsors in Hamilton, Bermuda.

Hollywood star Michael Douglas visits the SoftBank Team Japan

Meanwhile, Dean Barker and his SoftBank Team Japan had a prominent visitor. Actor Michael Douglas had accepted an invitation from Barker, which he had spontaneously extended during an encounter on a flight to New York. "We met at the 2007 America's Cup in Valencia. And I thought it would be interesting to invite him so that he could get an idea of how the Cup has changed over the last ten years," said SoftBank skipper Barker. Douglas describes what he sees in the Japanese camp as "incredible". His recommendation to the fans: "Hold on tight! It's going to be great fun!"

Skipper Dean Barker welcomes Michael Douglas to his team's camp and shows the Hollywod star the new boat