Louis Vuitton Cup - Americas Cup - Valencia 2007 Aktuelle Nachrichten www.americascup.com - A-Cup Nachrichten 07 Valencia, 15th March, 2007 The race is on! The America's Cup trophy arrives in Valencia - On Thursday morning, exactly 100 days before the first race of the 32nd America's Cup Match, and just 18 days before racing begins in the decisive, 2007 season, the America's Cup and Louis Vuitton Cup trophies arrived in Port America's Cup, the final stop on the 'Road to Valencia'. 11 challengers begin battling for the Louis Vuitton Cup this year. The winner will have earned the right to fight Alinghi for the America's Cup beginning June 23rd. The occasion has been marked in spectacular fashion today in Port America's Cup, with 32 skydivers tumbling from the sky in a '-100' formation. Another group of parachutists trailed a 32nd America's Cup flag emblazoned with 'D-100'. All landed safely in the middle of the AC Park, the index public area of the venue, where the two trophies - the Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup - were on display. The 32nd America's Cup has featured racing in 12 Louis Vuitton Acts beginning in 2004. But this year, the ultimate season of racing begins. The final Act, featuring all 12 teams begins on April 3rd, preceding the start of the decisive Louis Vuitton Cup on April 16th. "I remember what it was like in 2002, just before the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup, when I was with Alinghi," said Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the organising body for the event. "Today, all 12 teams are feeling a heightened sense of expectation, of pressure and of tension. The years of hard work have been converted into skill and ability beyond what they could have imagined at the start of their campaigns. Their confidence is high and they want to prove what they can do. Beginning April 3rd, they'll have that opportunity and over the course of the Louis Vuitton Cup, a champion will emerge." Fotos: ACM 2007 Jump Europe The AC Park Following the 'D-100' celebration, attention turned to the AC Park, which has expanded each season to accommodate the growing events. This year, the AC Park is bigger and better than ever, with over 22 restaurants, bars and cafés, along with dozens of animations, exhibitions, concerts and entertainment activities. An entirely new development, on the South side of the Port America's Cup is open this year. "The AC Park is the heart of the 32nd America's Cup," said Paco Latorre, Communications Director for the event. "This is where the public can come and see how Valencia has embraced the America's Cup and the sea. The Port America's Cup has changed the city and there is something here of interest for everyone." The AC Park is already open, with several restaurants, bars, and exhibitions. Entrance is free. All of the animations, activities, restaurants, bars, and cafés will be running by April 1st, which is 'unveiling day' for the teams, who have to show the two boats they will use over the next three months of competition. ______________ Note to editors: Rights-free (for editorial) photos for download for media use at: http://media.americascup.com/en/day100photo/index.php A VNR feed will be available at 14:50 GMT.For VNR details see: http://media.americascup.com/en/day100video/index.php A dossier on Port America's Cup is available at: http://media.americascup.com under Press Packs Since 1851, the America's Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of the pursuit of excellence. Offical partners LOUIS VUITTON, ENDESA, SANTANDER, ALCATEL - LUCENT and the America's Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and extraordinary achievement. The 32nd America's Cup enjoys the support of Nespresso, Adecco, Ford, El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm, Grupo Leche Pascual, Coca-Cola and Vodafone. Racing for the 32nd America's Cup began with a series of Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004, 2005 and 2006 across Europe. It will end in 2007, with Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 - Fleet Racing - 3 to 7 April which precedes the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger selection series (April 16 - June 12). The winner will race the Defender, Alinghi, in the 32nd America's Cup Match beginning June 23, 2007. ______________ Contacts: 32nd America's Cup Edificio Varadero Port America's Cup 46011 Valencia, Spain Email: media@americascup.com Web: www.americascup.com or http://media.americascup.com Phone: +34 96 354 2007 Copyright © 1996-2016 - SEGEL.DE