Teams sign for new Auckland yachting regatta
29 Sep 2008
International yachting teams are racing to enter the new Louis Vuitton Pacific Series to be sailed in Auckland - New Zealand’s ‘city of sails’ - in February 2009.
Just one week after the new event was announced, major sponsors Louis Vuitton have confirmed that seven teams have already registered. So far 23 teams have expressed interest but, with only eight berths available in the regatta, entries are now virtually closed.
Louis Vuitton Cup competitors
All the sailing teams that have participated in previous Louis Vuitton Cup regattas have been invited, and among the confirmed entries are: series host Emirates Team New Zealand, BMW Oracle Racing (USA), K-Challenge (France), Mascalzone Latino (Italy), and Shosholoza (South Africa).
BMW Oracle’s New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts has confirmed that he will come home to skipper his team’s entry.
Two other teams will announce their participation at a later date.
In response to the strong interest, Louis Vuitton was "working on creative ideas" to bring more teams to Auckland, said Louis Vuitton director Christine Belanger.
Friendly event
Described as a friendly event, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series is scheduled to race between 1 - 15 February 2009.
The series will be raced using America's Cup-sized boats and sailing teams. Team New Zealand is providing two boats built for the 2007 Valencia America's Cup that will be modified to be as similar as possible.
Three daily match races are planned on a two-mile course at the entrance to Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, between Rangitoto Island and the city foreshore. There will be a daily draw to decide which yacht teams will sail that day.
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