Germany enters first challenger in America’s Cup

LONDON - Germany has entered its first challenger for international yachting's most prestigious prize after United internet Team Germany beat the America's Cup entry deadline by hours.

The German team, sponsored by internet provider United internet, was the 10th syndicate accepted to challenge Swiss holders Alinghi when the America's Cup returns to Europe for the first time in over 150 years in 2007.

"The first serious German campaign is now on its way to the starting line of the first America's Cup to take place in Europe," commodore of the Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club, Willy Kuhweide said.

The Germans will be led on the water by Danish skipper Jesper Bank, a twice Olympic gold medallist and previous America's Cup skipper in 2002/2003 with Victory Challenge.

"We are very glad they beat the deadline," Michel Bonnefous of the Cup organisers said.

"Germany has a tremendous sailing heritage and has enjoyed success at all levels of yacht racing, from Olympic competition to races around the world. But German sailors have never before had the chance represent their country for the most coveted prize in yachting."

EUROPEAN WINNERS

Switzerland's Alinghi, bankrolled by billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, will defend the Auld Mug in the eastern Spanish city of Valencia after defeating Team New Zealand in 2003 to become the first European winners.

United internet Team Germany will compete in all of the pre-Cup regattas in Europe - the Louis Vuitton Acts - leading up to the main events in 2007.

Their first racing will be in Valencia in Acts four and five, beginning June 16. The team will compete closer to home in Malmo, Sweden in August and conclude the season with racing in Trapani, Sicily at the end of September.

Each of a series of successive Acts will take on increasing importance as the America's Cup match draws nearer.

In 2007, the final Act will be an opening Fleet race, for all the competitors of the 32nd America's Cup. After that, the challengers will square off in the Louis Vuitton Cup, to determine who will race Team Alinghi in the 32nd America's Cup match.

Other challengers for the America's Cup hail from the United States, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, France, Spain and Sweden.

- REUTERS