to seek an additional estimated cost of 2

The 32nd America's Cup competitions resume Thursday next in Valencia with three sets of race Louis Vuitton Acts taking place from 11 May to July 3 in the Spanish port Bay. "The Act 12 in June, a new formula has been planned with a semi-finals and final." The voltage will rise a notch. Teams will isolate themselves more to hide the new generation boats. "This will be less relaxed than in 2005," warns Michel Bonnefous, the pattern of ACM (America's Cup Management), the organizing structure of the race including the budget amounts to 210 million of revenue for 195 million euros of expenditure. 2006 marks a turning point in the campaign to the Supreme test next year. According to the Protocol of the competition, teams must compete for the 2007 season with a vessel built in the country represented by the Yacht Club.

The new unions as United Germany, China Team, K-Challenge, Shosholoza, 39 Challenge and Desafío Spanish are obliged to carry out new sailboats or acquisition of a former Class America out of a shipyard in their territory. However, the teams having already played the previous edition of the Cup in New Zealand in 2003 as Victory Challenge, Luna Rossa, BMW Oracle Racing, Mascalzone Latino, "Defender" Alinghi and Team New Zealand can use if they wish their former boat for as much as it is consistent with the new version 5 gauge. But these unions all have plans to build at least a Class America, or even two (the maximum allowed by the regulation) by 2007.

The regatta on the Internet

The first of the two new Alinghi boats, "sui91", thus arrived at Valencia in early April. "We can involve it once in our testing program that we will have completed the series of trials and audits required," said Grant Simmer, Managing Director and design team coordinator. United Germany will make the water his new sailboat "ger72" in July in Germany first, and then in Valencia; It was built in eight months for a total cost of 10 million. Desafío Spanish took delivery a few days ago of his boat "esp88" which "could be ready for the June 12 Act", announces Luis Doreste, Director of the Union. China Team will put his starts in the next few days, said Xavier in Lesquin. As the Director of K-Challenge, it breathes better since the arrival of Areva as main sponsor with in anyway 12.5 million. "Is now a certainty to go to the end." We have five months to develop the new boat construction started in La Ciotat. "It should be ready late October and begin navigating late November", commented Stéphane Kandler the Director of the renamed team Areva Challenge.

"We are very satisfied with the conduct of operations, even if the site of Valencia port development has taken a few delays," said Marcus Hutchinson, Director of ACM media. The generality of Valencia, backed by the Government of Madrid, has spent over $ 500 million in infrastructure work, sum plus 50 million paid to ACM for the test. "The choice of Valencia has been criticized, but I am still convinced that it was the best candidate," said Michel Bonnefous. Bruno Troublé, spokesman for Vuitton America's Cup (the mark of the LVMH group spends about 20 million), as a "real success" the preparation of Cup of America which has "bluffé the great pattern of formula 1, Bernie Ecclestone", come visit the site.

Success television. "Varieties and sports show produced by MTV Networks Asia and broadcast by the three national channels of CCTV funded by Vuitton and ACM, to promote the America's Cup in China looked by 260 million viewers, it is a record," exclaims the Manager. The past year, the Louis Vuitton Acts were seen by more than 1 billion people in the world in cumulative audience. "We have 17 rights holders including Canal broadcast live events this season." For others, we will produce images that their will be sold. "It can also follow the regattas on the Internet the partnership that we have done with Alcatel," said Marcus Hutchinson.

Budgets to loop

Side sponsorship, ACM has almost made the full. "Lack us an official partner to the side of Vuitton, Endesa, Santander and Alcatel.". "We are negotiating with three companies for a ticket estimated at 15 million," said the Media Manager.

ACM, which enjoys the support of 7 suppliers (Nespresso, Adecco, Ford, Coca-Cola, etc.), to seek an additional estimated cost of 2.5 million. On the other hand, the unions were not all bouclé, far from it, their partnership budget. "We offer visibility to firms for trading between EUR 500 000 and 1 million packages", puts forward Stephane Kandler.

Lesquin Xavier said that 22 French companies have joined the "business club" launched in partnership with "Les Echos" for China Team. The same initiative is supported in Spain supported by decorative luxury porcelain firm Lladro, sponsor of the Chinese boat with Tag-Heuer (LVMH group). "This is not the America's Cup here, because the boat and the Chinese sailors are learning, but the following", says the President of Lladro, Alain Viot, which the company has developed a development plan for his firm in China by 2010, building on this sailing event for its image in this country.