09/2008-

Though the date of the next America’s Cup is not yet known, Louis Vuitton has announced the organization of a new big nautical event. The French attaché case manufacturer will organize, with Team New Zealand, the “Louis Vuitton Pacific Series”, to be held from January 31st to February 14th, 2009 in Auckland. Those series will be raced on the two new zealand team’s  boats winners of the last Louis Vuitton Cup. They will oppose 6 to 8 of the syndicates that already ran the America’s Cup.

Christine Bellanger, Director of the “Louis Vuitton Pacific Series”, announced that the races will be held round robin (each syndicate against all the others in classification phase). “Than, there will be the final, where New Zealand will be directly qualified and will fight against the winner of the round robin tour” she said. This mini America’s Cup, held over 3 week-ends, and where New Zealand will be the defender, will enable the sailors to train, and everyone, to wait until the legal fight is over.

Source and Photo Credit : Emirate Team New Zealand.

-NG-