KEY POINTS:
The Herald takes a look at the fleet lined up to contest the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.
ALINGHI
Switzerland
Skipper: Brad Butterworth
Since being established in 2000, Alinghi have racked up a formidable record. In 2003 the Swiss-owned syndicate won the America's Cup on their first attempt, in
a 5-0 victory against Team New Zealand. They then successfully defended the cup in 2007, once again downing Team NZ. Kiwi sailor and shrewd tactician Brad Butterworth skippers the Alinghi crew, with American veteran Ed Baird at the helm.
EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand
Skipper: Dean Barker
The host team of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, Team New Zealand will be hard to beat in their own boats and in their own backyard. Much of the sailing team that helped win the Louis Vuitton Challenger series in Valencia in 2007 have remained on at the Kiwi syndicate and will be looking to continue to restore purpose and pride to top-level New Zealand sailing.
BMW ORACLE RACING
USA
Skipper: Russell Coutts
Larry Ellison, founder of Oracle Racing, established the team in 2000, competing in the 2003 and 2007 Louis Vuitton Cups. Following the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia, Ellison recruited three-time America's Cup winner Russell Coutts to lead his team as CEO/skipper. There are a number of other Kiwi sailors that make up the Oracle crew, included 2008 Olympians Hamish Pepper and Carl Williams, who represented New Zealand in the star class.
LUNA ROSSA
Italy
Skipper: Peter Holmberg
Luna Rossa have a strong track record in Louis Vuitton regattas, having won the LV Cup in 2000 to earn the right to challenge Team New Zealand for the America's Cup. Three years later they reached the semifinals of the Challenger Series, and in 2007 they finished second. Luna Rossa have sent a very experienced team to Auckland, and with Peter Holmberg at the helm they cannot be underestimated.
TEAM ORIGIN
Great Britain
Skipper: Ben Ainslie
With one of the best match racers in the world at the helm in Ben Ainslie, Team Origin are regarded as one of the dark horses in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series. Ainslie, Great Britain's most successful Olympic sailor with three gold medals, is no stranger to the Waitemata Harbour after years of training in the afterguard of Team New Zealand. The Brits also have a distinct advantage in that a couple of other members of the crew were involved with Team New Zealand's campaign for the 2007 America's Cup and have plenty of experience sailing aboard NZL 92 and NZL 84.
K-CHALLENGE
France
Skipper: Sebastian Col Pataugas
K-Challenge is a professional French sailing team with 20 years of experience, however they haven't been involved with America's Cup class racing until recently. The team took part in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Challenger Series in Valencia, finishing eighth in the round robins. Skipper Sebastian Col is ranked as the top match racer in the world.
TEAM SHOSHOLOZA
South Africa
Skipper: Paolo Cian
South Africa's Team Shosholoza come to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series after making their debut at the 2007 America's Cup. There they became the first ever challenger from the African continent in the 156-year history of the event. The fledgling team eventually bowed out of the Louis Vuitton Cup in a very creditable seventh place and are looking to further build their experience in Auckland.
CHINA TEAM
China
Skipper: Ian Williams
Founded in 2004 by Chinese entrepreneur Chaoyang Wang, the team was the first Chinese entry in the history of the America's Cup, finishing 11th in the 2007 Louis Vuitton Challenger Series. British two-time World Match Racing champion Ian Williams has signed on as skipper and will take the helm of the China Team for the first time in Auckland.
GREEK CHALLENGE
Greece
Skipper: Sotiris Buseas
The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series will be the Greek Challenge's first ever campaign and is expected to be a big learning curve. The newly established team have had just two weeks of training together in Valencia, where they sailed an America's Cup class yacht for the first time, before they arrived in Auckland. The Greek Challenge, who are helmed by Kiwi Gavin Brady, have plans to compete in future America's Cup challenges.
DAMIANI ITALIA CHALLENGE
Italy
Skipper: Vasco Vascotto
Another team new to the world of America's Cup class sailing, Damiani Italia are a partnership between two Italian yacht clubs - Rome's Circolo Canottieri Aniene and Club Canottieri Roggero di Lauria in Palermo. The two clubs joined forces with the vision of creating an all-Italian America's Cup team. Vasco Vascotto, one of Italy's most successful sailors with 16 world titles in a number of different classes, is the skipper and tactician of the Damiani Italia Challenge, with Francesco Bruni, another legendary Italian sailor, at the helm.