Friendly yachting trophy stays in NZ
16 Feb 2009
Auckland’s Waitemata harbour erupted with boat horns and cheers as the host team - Emirates Team New Zealand - scored a decisive 3-1 victory over top challenger Alinghi in the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series on Saturday (14.02.09).
For the New Zealand crew, it was a fitting climax to the inaugural friendly yachting series that brought many of the world’s best yachtsmen back together again - for the first time since the 2007 America’s Cup - and in New Zealand waters.
Nine teams - from the USA, Switzerland, Great Britain, Italy, France, China, South Africa and Greece - have spent the past two weeks competing for the chance to sail against Emirates Team New Zealand for the new Louis Vuitton Pacific Series trophy.
The final, between Team New Zealand and Alinghi, was battled out over five races on Friday and Saturday.
Auckland event
As the champagne flowed and the victorious crew hugged family and friends, Louis Vuitton Pacific Series coordinator Bruno Troublé vowed he would bring the event back to Auckland.
"We achieved 53 races in two weeks, we stuck to the schedule and we had a great winner ... I think we will come back now. Maybe even next year," Troublé announced.
"For sure it was a simple concept but we worked a lot on the details, and this is why the event has been such a success. The average time difference between the boats was under 30s per race, so it was very close racing, and there were lots of changes in the leaders."
Fantastic host
Louis Vuitton CEO Yves Carcelle, who presented the trophy to New Zealand skipper Grant Dalton, was also enthusiastic about the event.
"It was a great two weeks, lots of fun on the water, and we had a fantastic winner," Carcelle said.
"I really would like to thank New Zealand as the fantastic host of the event and the people of Auckland and New Zealand for being so responsive."
Staying in the city
The event buoys, banners and branding will be stored in the Auckland in anticipation of the next regatta.
The stunning new crystal and silver trophy, created by Louis Vuitton designers in Paris, will also be staying in the city. Emirates Team New Zealand’s latest prize will take its place beside the original Louis Vuitton Cup in the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron just along the waterfront.
Challenger trophy
Alinghi takes home the trophy for the winner of the challenger series.
"Team New Zealand sailed incredibly well, the boats held together, and the breeze made it incredibly exciting," Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth said.
"I love it here, and everyone else had a fantastic time here too."
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