Louis Vuitton Sponsors Pacific Series:
Racing Starts January 30 in Auckland
 

New Regatta Invited All Former LVC Teams -- 10 Teams to Participate

	Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Trophy. Photo: ©2009 Chris Cameron

Emirates Team New Zealand and the Royal New Zealand YS on September 15th announced the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series.  Based in Auckland's Viaduct Harbor and sponsored by Louis Vuitton, the new match race regatta will run from January 30 to February 14, 2009, featuring four match races daily in Emirates Team New Zealand's 2007 generation yachts NZL-92 and NZL-84.  The course will be in Auckland's harbor, make it possible for spectators to watch the racing from the shore.

Open invitations were made to all previous Louis Vuitton Cup competitors, including Alinghi, on a first-come-first served basis for six entry slots.  The response to the event was so strong that it was soon expanded to eight teams, and then with the addition of a second pair of yachts from BMW Oracle, to 12 teams.  In early December, sponsorship difficulties led two teams, Team Germany and Italy's Mascalzone Latino, to pull out, leaving a total of 10 entries including host ETNZ.

Evolution of a New Regatta:
 From the first, reaction from the teams and yachting fans was universally positive, and entries arrived almost immediately.  K-Challenge (with great enthusiasm), BMW Oracle (really looking forward to Auckland), Shosholoza (magnificent idea) cheered the opportunity.  Team Origin, and Desafío Español were said early on to have accepted in principle.  Via Radio NZ, 9/16, Grant Dalton of ETNZ said that Alinghi, too, has offered to participate if ETNZ dropped their legal action.  By September 17, Mascalzone Latino had joined as well (also great enthusiam).  By September 19, Dennis Conner, John Bertrand, and Desafío Español were reported to be additional potential entries as well.  In a change from initial reports, Team Origin's participation was uncertain for a time: Stuart Alexander in the Independent. 

By September 26, all seven original LVPS entry slots had been filled, with two teams left to be announced publicly.  Organizers report that a total of 23 teams responded with expressions of interest.  Dennis Conner and John Bertrand did not in the end submit accepted entries.  Desafío did not come true, either, preferring to focus on activities in Spain.  Team Origin did come through, along with two other newly formed teams, Damiani Italia Challenge and Greek Challenge.  America's Cup stalwart Luna Rossa, despite the departure of many crew from past America's Cup efforts, rounded out the 10 LVPS entries.  See main LVPS for list of entered teams

	Turn of the Screw: Designer Martin McElwee readies a spare mast in the ETNZ shed for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Trophy. Photo: ©2009 Chris Cameron

Read more of initial announcements at:
Emirates Team New Zealand and
See Press Conference Video

Also reports at: NZ Herald and Newstalkzb

Mascalzone Latino pulls out:
Vincenzo Onorato: "With deep regret..."

Team Germany Withdraws:
Read more at International Herald Tribune

Links of Interest:

CupInfo's Louis Vuitton Pacific Series page

Visit the Official Louis Vuitton Pacific Series Web Site