America’s Cup racing comes to Europe today with the first races of the Marseille Louis Vuitton Act, the opening Act of the 32nd America’s Cup. Two fleet races are scheduled on Sunday, with the first race slated to start at 12:40.
The racing today marks the beginning of the 32nd America’s Cup. The five challengers racing in Act 1, along with the Defender of the America’s Cup, Team Alinghi, are beginning a quest that will take them through a number of Acts across Europe over the next four years, culminating with the final Act, a Fleet race in April 2007. The Louis Vuitton Cup, from April through June 2007 will select the Challenger who will face Team Alinghi in the America’s Cup Match itself at the end of June, 2007.
The Marseille Louis Vuitton Act is an opportunity for each of the teams to measure itself against the competition. For the stronger squads, this is the place to begin to assert their strength over their opponents and to measure weaknesses, while some of the other teams will use this event as a measuring stick to map out a plan for development and improvement.
For all six of the teams, the Marseille Louis Vuitton Cup is just the first step on the long journey to the 32nd America’s Cup.
