Photos taken during the holidays at Ellstrom Racing’s top secret shop in Seattle show work progressing on the new boat the team is building for the 2014 racing season.

Asked if the project is on schedule, Erick Ellstrom replied, “Pretty close.  The sponsons are hung and the shoes will be added soon.”

Ellstrom also said the systems for the boat (fuel, electrical, hardware, etc) are ready to go in and that process will begin soon.

Ellstrom expects the new Spirit of Qatar to be completed early in the spring and – when asked who will drive the new high-tech craft –  says, “”We will announce our new driver when the boat is ready.”