Swiss America's Cup holders Alinghi announced yesterday they had signed leading American helmsman Peter Holmberg.
Virgin Islands native Holmberg, 43, was skipper of US software billionaire Larry Ellison's Oracle BMW Racing team beaten by Alinghi during the 2002-2003 America's Cup and has won two world championships in his career.
"It's a great
honour to be invited to join Team Alinghi," Holmberg said. "I have great respect for what they have achieved as a team. This will be a great experience."
Alinghi, bankrolled by Swiss billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, defeated holders Team New Zealand 5-0 to become the first European winners of the America's Cup in the 152-year history of the event in March.
The venue for Alinghi's defence of the America's Cup will be revealed in Geneva on Wednesday.
Landlocked Switzerland is not permitted to host the 32nd America's Cup. Competition rules state it must take place in open sea.
Spain's Valencia, Cascais in Portugal and the French and Italian ports of Marseille and Naples are the shortlisted venues.
- REUTERS
Further reading: nzherald.co.nz/americascup
