KEY POINTS:
VALENCIA - Team Origin, who hope to be partners in organising the next America's Cup, will represent Britain's oldest yacht club, team members said on Friday (NZ time).
Origin will sail the flag of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, which was founded in 1775 and challenged the New York Yacht Club for the America's Cup in 1870 with the schooner Cambria.
The choice of club, coming before the end of the 32nd America's Cup, means Team Origin now have everything in order for the next one and could be chosen as the challenger of record -- the team that helps the defender to set up the next event.
Many Cup followers expect that if Swiss syndicate Alinghi successfully defend the America's Cup against Team New Zealand this time, they will choose the British as their partners for the 33rd America's Cup.
Alinghi and Team New Zealand were level at 2-2 in the best-of-nine series on Thursday.
Under the deed of gift that governs the event, the America's Cup match must be raced between two yacht clubs from different nations.
As well as challenging for the oldest and most storied prize in sailing, Team Origin want to widen the appeal of yachting in Britain, a country which has produced plenty of champions but where sailing is seen as an elitist sport.
John Stork, vice-commodore of the Royal Thames Yacht Club, said: "We aim to support Team Origin's vision and values, in particular helping to encourage participation in our sport by building awareness and excitement across Britain about the ambitions of the team and why winning the America's Cup is such an important and worthwhile goal for the whole country."
- REUTERS