The Valencia series of Louis Vuitton Acts, part of the pre-season campaign for the 2007 America's Cup competition, gets underway off the coast of Spain later today (NZT).
With the new point scoring system agreed earlier this month, the races in Acts 4 and 5 will count towards a bonus point
system for the challengers, meaning the racing tonight (NZT) has an impact on the results in 2007.
The 12 competitors at the America's Cup represent a full spectrum in terms of nationality, experience, and preparedness, including five new challengers since the end of the 2004 racing season. The addition of the China Team and United internet Team Germany add two countries which have never competed in the America's Cup before. In fact, the 12 teams from 10 nations make for the most diverse list of competitors in the long history of the Cup.
The defender of the 32nd America's Cup, Alinghi, is competing in each of the Louis Vuitton Acts ahead of the America's Cup match in 2007. This is a new development in the America's Cup and offers both the challengers and the defender a sense of how far and fast the other is progressing.
"We see this as an opportunity, as I'm sure it is for these teams as well, to square up against us," said Peter Holmberg, the helmsman of Alinghi. "I think it is good for both parties. We at Alinghi are really happy. We get to measure our progress and keep our team sharp. And I'm sure these other teams will gain something from it, but that's what sailing's all about.taking what you've got and learning to do the best with it."
For South Africa's Team Shosholoza, last night's practice was the last opportunity to take RSA 83 out for its maiden sail before racing. The team has been battling to work out some kinks with the mast of its new design, and was scheduled to sail the boat for the first time.
"We have had a few hiccups", confirmed skipper Geoff Meek. "We have had to buy a second-hand rig and put it on the boat and hopefully we will sail today. We are trying to keep the boat in one piece for this regatta while trying to race it.We know we have heaps to learn and we are out to learn as much as we can all the time."
The pairings list offers an intriguing all-Italian match-up in the first Flight, when the Luna Rossa Challenge meets Mascalzone Latino - Team Capitalia.
Other highlights on the day are the first matches for the local Desafío Espa--ol 2007 team, which didn't race last year, but is competing on home waters Thursday, as well as the first ever America's Cup racing for German and Chinese teams.
* The entire pairings list for racing on Thursday in Valencia:
1. NZL 82 vs FRA 60 and ITA 77 vs NZL 82
2. ITA 74 vs ITA 77 and GER 72 vs FRA 60
3. ESP 67 vs GER 72 and ESP 67 vs ITA 74
4. SWE 63 vs USA 76 and SWE 63 vs ITA 59
5. ITA 59 vs RSA 83 and RSA 83 vs SUI 75
6. SUI 75 vs CHN 69 and USA 76 vs CHN 69
The Valencia series of Louis Vuitton Acts, part of the pre-season campaign for the 2007 America's Cup competition, gets underway off the coast of Spain later today (NZT).
With the new point scoring system agreed earlier this month, the races in Acts 4 and 5 will count towards a bonus point
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