The America's Cup is coming to New Zealand
The America's Cup trophy is returning to New Zealand, where it will be on display for public viewing during the Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta in Auckland.
The Cup, which was won one month ago by the American team BMW ORACLE Racing, has been residing in its new home at the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. It is scheduled to arrive in Auckland on Tuesday, March 16th.
This will be a homecoming of sorts for the America’s Cup, which spent nearly eight years in the trophy room at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron following Team New Zealand’s victory in 1995.
The skipper of that team, Russell Coutts, is the CEO of BMW ORACLE Racing.
“It’s appropriate that we bring the trophy to Auckland this week,” Coutts said. “Most of the America’s Cup community is in town, including Mascalzone Latino, the team for our Challenger of Record, racing in the Louis Vuitton Trophy. So although we weren’t able to compete in this regatta, we wanted to support the event.
“We’ve been here for a few days already, consulting with the teams about the next edition of the America’s Cup. Bringing the Cup back to New Zealand now, during this regatta, will help to get everyone excited and focussed on what happens next.”
The Louis Vuitton Trophy events are the result of a partnership between Louis Vuitton and the World Sailing Teams Association, designed to provide regular, high-level match race regattas in large and complex racing yachts.
“It’s great to have BMW ORACLE Racing, one of the founding members of the WSTA, showing their support for the other teams by bringing the ‘Auld Mug’ back to New Zealand,” said Bruno Troublé, spokesperson for the WSTA.
“By supporting this event, BMW ORACLE Racing is also paying tribute to Louis Vuitton, which has contributed to growing the America’s Cup so much over the last 27 years, all the while respecting its values, tradition and history.
“While the details of the next edition of the Cup are being worked out, the Louis Vuitton Trophy regattas are a great proving ground for the teams.”
Eight teams are currently racing in Auckland for the Louis Vuitton Trophy. Further events on the calendar include regattas in La Maddalena, Italy, Dubai and Hong Kong.
The America’s Cup will be available for public viewing at Voyager, the New Zealand Maritime Museum, at the Viaduct Harbour, on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of this week from 1100 until 1600 (1530 on Thursday). The Museum is putting on special rates of just $5 per adult, with free admission for children 14 and under.
About WSTA
The World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA) was founded in 2009 by a group of professional yacht racing teams to develop regular high-level match race regattas in large and complex racing yachts. The WSTA is jointly owned by its nine shareholders (the teams) and represents the interests of those teams in the pursuit of fair and highly competitive racing. The WSTA, in conjunction with title partner Louis Vuitton, co-organises the Louis Vuitton Trophy.
About Louis Vuitton
The world leader in luxury, Louis Vuitton has been synonymous with the art of stylish travel since 1854. Since 1987, it has been part of LVMH/Moët Hennessy - Louis Vuitton, the world's most prestigious luxury goods group headed by Bernard Arnault. Since 1997, with the arrival of the designer Marc Jacobs, it has extended its expertise to women's and men's ready-to-wear, shoes, watches and jewellery, eyewear, combining traditional craftsmanship with flair and innovation to create a complete lifestyle experience. Today, Louis Vuitton has an exclusive network of stores all across the world.
LOUIS VUITTON TROPHY MEDIA CONTACTS
World Sailing Teams Association
Bruno Troublé
Tel: +33 6 6100 4321
Tel: +39 33 568 020 77
Email: btrouble@wsta-sailing.com
Peter Rusch
Tel: +33 6 37 84 09 65
Tel: +39 33 514 262 14
Email: prusch@wsta-sailing.com
Louis Vuitton Corporate Communication
Isabella Capece-Galeota / Caroline Bellemare
Tel: +33 1 55 80 32 55
Email: c.bellemare@fr.vuitton.com