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Posted by Alan Sorum Apr 11, 2007 |
The America's Cup race committee has just released information on the first round robin races of the Louis Vuitton Cup starting on 16 April 2007. Many readers at Boating & Sailing may not be familiar with the ins and outs of America's Cup Match racing. Now is your chance to change this potential problem.
During 1851, the yacht America representing the New York Yacht Club defeated the British defender of the Royal Yacht Club's 100 Guinea Cup. The cup was renamed after the yacht America and offered as a perpetual challenge for yacht racing teams of all nations. Upstart sailors from the United States would go on to dominate the race for the next 132 years. Since the defending club sets to rule races, challengers face an uphill battle to gain the prize.
Challenger and defender teams participate in a series of competitive matches that build towards the final America's Cup event. The Louis Vuitton Cup race represents the final Act leading to the America's Cup match. Only the challengers participate in the final Act that occurs this April, with the winner moving on to race against the defending team in the 32nd America’s Cup Match.
The current defender holding the America's Cup is the Swiss Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), and its team, Alinghi. Team Alinghi has dominated the field of 11 challengers and is the clear favorite of the match. Port America's Cup is the host marina and the Spanish venue for the great race.
We will forward more news of the America's Cup as events unfold in the competition.