Top teams line up for Pacific yachting series
07 Nov 2008
Race yachting teams for the Team New Zealand-hosted Louis Vuitton Pacific Series were announced in Paris today (November 6).
America's Cup holders Alinghi and BMW Oracle have been confirmed as entrants, as well as 10 other teams including hosts Team New Zealand, for the high profile match race yachting regatta in Auckland - New Zealand's 'City of Sails' - early next year.
With their teams confirmed as entrants in the regatta, the event is set to pit legendary Kiwi sailors Brad Butterworth, Russell Coutts and Dean Barker up against one another in their own backyard.
Bruno Trouble, spokesman for Louis Vuitton, said the gathering of international teams and sailors committed to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series was one of the most impressive ever brought together.
Match racing competition
The teams will arrive in Auckland on January 23, 2009 to familiarise themselves with the boats, which have been loaned for the regatta by BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand.
Two weeks of match racing competition starts on January 30.
Six races are planned daily on short courses on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, between Rangitoto Island and the city foreshore.
Original plans
Original plans for the Pacific Series were for a competition featuring six teams but when the event was announced in September, there were 23 expressions of interest.
Organisers increased the number of places to 12, one of which has gone to Greek Challenge, which is planning to be the first syndicate from Greece to compete in the America's Cup.
Two other teams are on a waiting list in case there is a withdrawal.
Announcing the official entry list, Louis Vuitton chief executive Yves Carcelle said the success of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series had exceeded expectations.
Teams in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series:
- Team New Zealand
- Luna Rossa (Italy)
- BMW Oracle (US)
- K-Challenge (France)
- Mascalzone Latino (Italy)
- Team Origin (Britain)
- China Team
- Team Shosholoza (South Africa)
- Italia Vasco Vascotto
- Team Germany
- Greek Challenge
- Alinghi (Switzerland).
Waiting list:
- Italia Franceso De Angelis
- Team French Spirit Marc Pajot.
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