Source: www.americascup.com

act12060702ff_7351 Valencia,02 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Dean Barker from Emirates Team New Zealand winner of Louis Vuitton Act 12 and 2006 season.

Source: www.americascup.com

Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Italian flair Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team Italian flair
As one of three Italian teams, and the last of the three to challenge, Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team has had a busy year in 2005, establishing the team, acquiring and modifying boats, and racing in the six Louis Vuitton Acts.
Source: www.americascup.com

acm060715vb_0199w Valencia, 15 07 2006Long distance swimming in the Port America s Cup.

Source: www.americascup.com

act12060702ff_7340 Valencia,02 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Frederic Cumenal, President Mo t & Chandon, with Dean Barker and Grant Dalton from Emirates Team New Zealand, winners of the Louis Vuitton Act 12 and the 2006 Season.

Source: www.americascup.com

img_1655ww IBIZA , 16 07 200632nd America s Cup on TourPresentation of ” Sailing Experience “, a new activity insideof 32nd America s Cup on Tour.

Source: www.americascup.com

acm060715vb_0256w Valencia, 15 07 2006Long distance swimming in the Port America s Cup.

Source: www.americascup.com

act12060702ff_7381 Valencia,02 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Prizegiving to Emirates Team New Zealand.

Source: www.americascup.com

act12060702cb_2619 Valencia,02 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Prizegiving Louis Vuitton Act 12 to Emirates Team New Zealand.

Source: www.americascup.com

If the America’s Cup shows anything, it is that life can take peculiar twists. There are plenty of sailors around the world who have dreamed of sailing in the most prestigious race in their sport all their lives, and despite their ability, have never made. Then there are those who barely knew what the Cup was when it somehow whisked them into its grasp.
Source: www.americascup.com

New Zealand and the America’s Cup: Kiwis claim the Cup New Zealand and the America’s Cup: Kiwis claim the Cup
Nobody will ever know if the Briton James Ashbury, the first to challenge for the America’s Cup in 1870 with Cambria, and who had later immigrated in the 1880s to New Zealand to raise sheep, would have been the one to pass along to his adopted countrymen a passion for the Cup.
Source: www.americascup.com

Shosholoza and South Africa: a story of good hope Shosholoza and South Africa: a story of good hope
South Africa evokes the image of the sea that bathes its coasts - on one side the south Atlantic, and one the other the Indian Ocean. It was a precarious coast for many mariners, as evidenced by the nicknames given: the Skeleton or Savage Coast and the evocative Danger Point.
Source: www.americascup.com

New start for South Africa New start for South Africa
The first ever America’s Cup challenge from South Africa, Shosholoza, is marching to the beat of a different drum in 2006. The team has a new base, a new boat configuration, a new mast and sails, and additions to the crew which give the team a more international - and Italian - flavour. This is Shosholoza in 2006, a team determined to make a move at this 32nd America’s Cup.
Source: www.americascup.com

Designed to win Designed to win
“People say the gains are going to be less in this cycle, but I don’t think that’s true. We’re making the same type of gains as in the last cycle. It’s just the way it is…”
Source: www.americascup.com

A day in the life The tactician A day in the life The tactician
One of the strangest roles on an America’s Cup boat - or any large racing boat for that matter - is that of tactician. The tactician doesn’t steer the boat, or navigate it. He doesn’t trim the sails, and he’s not in charge as the skipper is. But the tactician has an enormous influence on the outcome any America’s Cup race.
Source: www.americascup.com

For the first time, the Port America’s Cup has been the stage of one of the most unique competitions of the summer in Valencia, the XIV Traves a del Puerto.
Source: www.americascup.com

Emirates Team NZ wins Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 and the 2006 Louis Vuitton ACC Championship Emirates Team NZ wins Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 and the 2006 Louis Vuitton ACC Championship
Emirates Team New Zealand won a ‘winner take all’ match over Alinghi on Sunday afternoon on the waters off Valencia to win Louis Vuitton Act 12 and claim the 2006 Louis Vuitton ACC Championship.
Source: www.americascup.com

Emirates Team New Zealand - Leading on all counts Emirates Team New Zealand - Leading on all counts
Emirates Team New Zealand heads in to the ‘off season’ leading on all counts at the 32nd America’s Cup. The Kiwis won a ‘winner take all’ race over Alinghi on Sunday to claim Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12, which in turn put the team on top of the 2006 Louis Vuitton ACC Championship. Also, the ranking points the team earned in Act 12 allowed it to stretch out a lead over BMW Oracle Racing on the challengers-only Louis Vuitton Ranking.
Source: www.americascup.com

Racing round-up Racing round-up
The 12 America’s Cup teams may not race in another Cup event until Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 in April, 2007, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t racing at all. Apart from training and testing in Valencia and organising their own informal matches here, many teams have sent crews to different events all around Europe. Here’s a round-up of some of what’s happened over the past week or so.
Source: www.americascup.com

On Saturday, June 18th, 1983, Italy made a spectacular entrance to the America’s Cup arena in Newport. Azzurra I 4, the elegant 12-metre from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) skippered by Cino Ricci and helmed by Mauro Pelaschier, won its first race by beating the French champion France 3 F 3 sailed by Bruno Troubl by 1 minute and 34 seconds in the opening race of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Source: www.americascup.com

1876 - Madeleine 1876 - Madeleine
“Madeleine leads the squadron into port!” In 1873, Jacob B. Voorhis’ centerboard schooner impressed many with its performances against the New York Yacht Club fleet. Among other exploits, this was the year when Madeleine won the two most desired trophies reserved for schooners, the Bennett and the Douglas Cups. Madeleine’s domination was such that during the following season, Voorhis gave up racing his boat because nobody wanted to sail against him. He was forced to follow the summer NYYC Annual Cruise, but even using just his working sails, it was necessary to slow down so as not to pass the others.
Source: www.americascup.com

ITA 86 arrives in Valencia ITA 86 arrives in Valencia
The first new boat of the Italian Luna Rossa challenge has arrived in Valencia. After leaving last week on a ship, ITA 86 was transferred to the base by truck early in the evening.
Source: www.americascup.com

1870 - Cambria 1870 - Cambria
“I have always regarded the model of Cambria as one of the finest in the very fine collection in the model room of the New York Yacht Club. I was on board her during several of her races and I think her failure to win was due to clumsiness of rig rather than to a defect in the model.”
Source: www.americascup.com

+39 Challenge - An Olympian effort +39 Challenge - An Olympian effort
The Italian +39 Challenge, the first squad to join BMW ORACLE Racing as official challengers for the 32nd America’s Cup can look back on the 2005 season as the year this new team proved it can compete at the Cup. The team struggled in the 2004 Louis Vuitton Acts; its performance was clearly that of a rookie squad fighting just to get the boat around the race course. But in 2005, +39 showed it has improved to the point that it can win races.
Source: www.americascup.com

Losing two races in a day doesn’t happen too often to the defender, Alinghi, so the final day’s racing in the round robin of Louis Vuitton Act 12 must have seemed like quite a slap in the face for the Swiss.
Source: www.americascup.com

1992 - America3 - USA 23 1992 - America3 - USA 23
“We have confidence in our science and we want to win, so we’ll make the changes.” That was the decision made by Bill Koch days before the first race of the 28th America’s Cup that would see his America3 (’America-cubed’) team set against the impressive Il Moro di Venezia V (ITA-25).
Source: www.americascup.com

1870 - Cambria 1870 - Cambria
“I have always regarded the model of Cambria as one of the finest in the very fine collection in the model room of the New York Yacht Club. I was on board her during several of her races and I think her failure to win was due to clumsiness of rig rather than to a defect in the model.”
Source: www.americascup.com

1876 - Madeleine 1876 - Madeleine
“Madeleine leads the squadron into port!” In 1873, Jacob B. Voorhis’ centerboard schooner impressed many with its performances against the New York Yacht Club fleet. Among other exploits, this was the year when Madeleine won the two most desired trophies reserved for schooners, the Bennett and the Douglas Cups. Madeleine’s domination was such that during the following season, Voorhis gave up racing his boat because nobody wanted to sail against him. He was forced to follow the summer NYYC Annual Cruise, but even using just his working sails, it was necessary to slow down so as not to pass the others.
Source: www.americascup.com

1871 - Sappho 1871 - Sappho
“I shall never think of my triumphs in the Sappho without associating them with you,” was the message to the British Captain, George Greenham, who owned the schooner, from the Rear Commodore of New York Yacht Club, William P. Douglass.
Source: www.americascup.com

1992 - Il Moro di Venezia V - ITA 25 1992 - Il Moro di Venezia V - ITA 25
There is a rather unusual sight in Boston at the moment. For three and a half months, from the end of August and through to the middle of November 2005, two America’s Cup Class yachts have dropped their anchors right in front the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (MFA).
Source: www.americascup.com

1983 - Azzurra - I 4 1983 - Azzurra - I 4
On Saturday, June 18th, 1983, Italy made a spectacular entrance to the America’s Cup arena in Newport. Azzurra I 4, the elegant 12-metre from the Yacht Club Costa Smeralda (YCCS) skippered by Cino Ricci and helmed by Mauro Pelaschier, won its first race by beating the French champion France 3 F 3 sailed by Bruno Troubl by 1 minute and 34 seconds in the opening race of the Louis Vuitton Cup.
Source: www.americascup.com

Team updates: Shosholoza changes tack Team updates: Shosholoza changes tack
Shosholoza, the South African challenger for the 32nd America’s Cup, has announced a change of skipper. Stepping off the boat is Geoff Meek, and coming aboard as the new skipper is Mark Sadler, who was previously in the afterguard as strategist.
Source: www.americascup.com

The first ever America’s Cup challenge from South Africa, Shosholoza, is marching to the beat of a different drum in 2006. The team has a new base, a new boat configuration, a new mast and sails, and additions to the crew which give the team a more international - and Italian - flavour. This is Shosholoza in 2006, a team determined to make a move at this 32nd America’s Cup.
Source: www.americascup.com

Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team christen ITA 90 Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team christen ITA 90
The Italian Mascalzone Latino - Capitalia Team christened its first new boat on Wednesday in a ceremony that linked the team base in the Port America’s Cup with a press conference for Italian media in Milan.
Source: www.americascup.com

‘China Sails into the America’s Cup’ a success in Beijing ‘China Sails into the America’s Cup’ a success in Beijing
The ‘China Sails into the America’s Cup’ promotional evening in Beijing was a roaring success on Saturday night. The show at the Tian Qiao Theatre, produced by the organisers of the 32nd America’s Cup and Louis Vuitton, was attended by over 1,000 guests, including celebrities, VIPs and diplomats.
Source: www.americascup.com

Destined for the Cup - Three South African stories Destined for the Cup - Three South African stories
If the America’s Cup shows anything, it is that life can take peculiar twists. There are plenty of sailors around the world who have dreamed of sailing in the most prestigious race in their sport all their lives, and despite their ability, have never made. Then there are those who barely knew what the Cup was when it somehow whisked them into its grasp.
Source: www.americascup.com

Shosholoza and South Africa: a story of good hope Shosholoza and South Africa: a story of good hope
South Africa evokes the image of the sea that bathes its coasts - on one side the south Atlantic, and one the other the Indian Ocean. It was a precarious coast for many mariners, as evidenced by the nicknames given: the Skeleton or Savage Coast and the evocative Danger Point.
Source: www.americascup.com

Red ships arrive Red ships arrive
Across the harbour from the +39 Challenge installation, the South bases now also have an Italian flavour: a dedicated but relaxed spirit that one could already feel in the air around ITA 66 and ITA 77.
Source: www.americascup.com

The dragon is nearly ready to take to the water The dragon is nearly ready to take to the water
Last week, China Team put the finishing touches on a dramatic paint job on CHN 79. The boat reflects the colours of the challenge - there’s a red dragon snaking up the boat - and is all yellow and red.
Source: www.americascup.com

The Chinese dragon takes to the water The Chinese dragon takes to the water
China Team became the 12th America’s Cup team to sail off Valencia on Friday afternoon, joining the crowd on a busy body of water off Valencia.
Source: www.americascup.com

Team Capitalia is the third Italian team to challenge for the 32nd America’s Cup Team Capitalia is the third Italian team to challenge for the 32nd America’s Cup
Team Capitalia becomes the third Italian Challenger for the 32nd America’s Cup, presenting its team in a public ceremony in Naples today. Distinguished by an ‘all-Italian’ sailing team, and with the support of its main partner Capitalia, an Italian banking group, the team formerly known as Mascalzone Latino has high expectations for its campaign.
Source: www.americascup.com

Source: www.americascup.com

ITA 86 arrives in Valencia ITA 86 arrives in Valencia
The first new boat of the Italian Luna Rossa challenge has arrived in Valencia. After leaving last week on a ship, ITA 86 was transferred to the base by truck early in the evening.
Source: www.americascup.com

The Spanish Challenge, Desaf o Espa ol, has teamed up with the Spanish Foundation Innovamar to help create a system of for wind prediction using the data generated by the America’s Cup’s own MDS (meteorological data service).
Source: www.americascup.com

Juan Meseguer - BMW ORACLE Racing Juan Meseguer - BMW ORACLE Racing
Valencian-born Juan Meseguer is a sail analyst working for BMW ORACLE. This is his second Cup campaign, having performed the same role for the Prada Challenge last time in Auckland.
Source: www.americascup.com

The world’s premiere motor racing circuit comes to the America’s Cup The world’s premiere motor racing circuit comes to the America’s Cup
Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone paid a visit to the Port America’s Cup on Friday visiting the home team Desaf o Espa ol 2007 and the defender of the Cup, Alinghi.
Source: www.americascup.com

act12060627cb_4023w Valencia, 27 06 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team.

Source: www.americascup.com

At the sharp end At the sharp end
One of the most dramatic photos to have come out of the Louis Vuitton Act 10 this past week, is of bowman Brad Webb fighting to keep a foothold on board the new BMW ORACLE Racing boat, USA 87.
Source: www.americascup.com

ESP 88 comes to the Port America’s Cup ESP 88 comes to the Port America’s Cup
The new yacht of Desaf o Espa ol 2007 has entered the Port America’s Cup. It is the first time that a challenger is racing in its own country and ESP 88 is the first boat built by the Spanish team for its campaign for the Cup.
Source: www.americascup.com

Craig Monk, BMW ORACLE Racing - Muscle and management Craig Monk, BMW ORACLE Racing - Muscle and management
Success at the Olympics in 1992 led to a chance meeting on a beach back in New Zealand a year later. “It feels like a time ago now. I was just helping a fellow Finn sailor out - Russell Coutts was his name - and he asked me to come and try out in the Cup boat. I thought, ‘OK, I’ll give it a go,’ and I’ve been a grinder ever since.”
Source: www.americascup.com

act12060702ff__4346 Valencia, 02 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team.

Source: www.americascup.com

act12060701ff__3821 Valencia, 01 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team.

Source: www.americascup.com

Source: www.americascup.com

Pressure and patience…Ray Davies ETNZ Pressure and patience…Ray Davies ETNZ
After a closely fought match against +39, Emirates Team New Zealand tactician Ray Davies gives a hint of the workings of the brains trust aboard NZL-84.
Source: www.americascup.com

vm1j0438 Valencia, 02 07 2006Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12Emirates Team New Zealand.

Source: www.americascup.com

Soaking up 58 000 hours of research, involving 11 people for 24 months, ITA 85 is not only the pride and joy of the Italian +39 Challenge, but the product of a long and detailed research programme. Chief designer Giovanni Ceccarelli describes the new boat, which was christened at the team base in Port America’s Cup on Saturday night, as highly innovative.
Source: www.americascup.com

HM Constantine of Greece, President of ISAF, comes to the Cup! HM Constantine of Greece, President of ISAF, comes to the Cup!
HM Constantine of Greece, Honorary President of the ISAF, and Goran Petersson, President of ISAF, were in Valencia to share a day at the Port America’s Cup and what follows are their impressions after soaking up the atmosphere.
Source: www.americascup.com

Riding ESP 88 to victory Riding ESP 88 to victory
Spain’s Desaf o Espa ol faced a difficult decision two weeks ago. It had its new boat, ESP 88, freshly christened and in measurement trim. But new America’s Cup boats can take a long time to work up to speed. Could it risk sailing the new boat in Louis Vuitton Act 12?
Source: www.americascup.com

Challenging from home Challenging from home
The Spanish Desaf o Espa ol 2007 team holds a unique position in the long history of the America’s Cup. It is the first team to race as a challenger on home waters, traditionally an advantage reserved for the Defender. While that gives the team certain advantages, it also comes with weighty expectations. A defending team sailing at home has already proved its mettle. For the Spanish, this is a new challenge after sitting out the 2003 Cup in Auckland, so the expectations are perhaps unfair.
Source: www.americascup.com

Swiss datum Swiss datum
“The advantage that the Challengers have to race among themselves while measuring and improving their performance is a big one,” says Alinghi helmsman Peter Holmberg.
Source: www.americascup.com

Team Shosholoza - ‘The best in the world!’ Team Shosholoza - ‘The best in the world!’
Andrew Mlangeni is a revered figure in South Africa. He spent 26 years in prison along Nelson Mandela, Walter Sisulu and Govan Mbeki and other prominent members of the African National Congress beginning in June 1964. Since the first democratic elections in 1994 he has been a Member of the South African Parliament.
Source: www.americascup.com

Five minutes with Grant Dalton Five minutes with Grant Dalton
Grant Dalton is the managing director and leader of Emirates Team New Zealand. After losing the Cup to Alinghi in 2003, the Kiwis turned to Dalton to provide the leadership necessary to turn the team around. It seems to be working - ETNZ has won the Louis Vuitton ACC Championship in 2004 and now again in 2006.
Source: www.americascup.com

Jochen Schuemann - Putting it down to experience Jochen Schuemann - Putting it down to experience
Losing two races in a day doesn’t happen too often to the defender, Alinghi, so the final day’s racing in the round robin of Louis Vuitton Act 12 must have seemed like quite a slap in the face for the Swiss.
Source: www.americascup.com