First awarded in 1851, the America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, and the ultimate sailboat racing prize. More... Racing teams spend tens of millions of dollars to either defend or challenge for the right to the Cup and to prove their technological supremacy at sea.

The America's Cup event is held every three years on the waters of the previous winner. America's Cup XXXI was raced during February/March 2003 in Auckland, New Zealand. In March 2003, Team Alinghi from Switzerland won five consecutive races to sweep the America's Cup from New Zealand, bringing the Auld Mug to Europe.
BMW Oracle Racing lost in the semi-finals to the eventual winner.

Now, America's Cup racing has returned to Europe. In 1851, when the world's oldest trophy in sport was first contested, the racing took place off England's Isle of Wight. In Marseille, France, the new era of the America's Cup has begun with the first of the Louis Vuitton Acts preceding the 32nd America's Cup. Louis Vuitton Act 1 is the opening round, which started on 5 September 2004, in Marseille with the challenger BMW Oracle Racing on the starting line.

The Louis Vuitton Acts are a continuous circuit of pre-regattas that will allow all participants to benefit from sailing against their rivals in the years leading up to the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup in 2007 in Valencia, Spain. In addition to the team led by CEO and skipper Chris Dickson, the metropolitan port in the south of France will play host to defending America's Cup champion Team Alinghi, as well as France's Le Defi and K-Challenge, South Africa's Team Shosholoza and Emirates Team New Zealand. Among the international BMW Oracle Racing team members in Marseille will be the helmsmen Gavin Brady and Betrand Pacé, as well as the tactical expert John Kostecki.

"This is an exciting time for the event as we prepare for the first official competition of this new era of the America's Cup in Europe," said BMW Oracle Racing's Chris Dickson. "We know the sailing will be challenging with our rival teams competing. The race course is within view of thousands of French sailing fans and should be spectacular for the competitors, the media, the sponsors, and the general public."

Louis Vuitton Cup

The Louis Vuitton Act 1 consists of traditional match racing as well as fleet racing, when all boats start simultaneously. This mix will make the event even more interesting and exciting for the spectators on location. They will be able to watch and experience the races along the spectacular South of France coastline from only a short distance. Due to the installation of special cameras and microphones, even television viewers will be able to follow events on board more closely than ever before.

Louis Vuitton Acts 2 and 3 take place in Valencia, Spain.

Summer training in the Pacific Ocean near Ventura, California

2003 Competition click for a larger image

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Factoid

America's Cup XXXI featured Oracle Racing, led by Oracle Corporation chief Larry Ellison, with skipper Chris Dickson at the helm. Oracle Racing received a major sponsorship boost from BMW.

"In Oracle Racing we have found a partner which embodies the most modern high-tech, the highest quality demands and the constant provision of the most innovative solutions in the same way as BMW does."
- Karl-Heinz Kalbfell