Yachting: Swedes try to get country on board with pre-regatta

The America's Cup pre-regattas in Malmo will provide teams with several days of intense competition to trial different crew combinations and test equipment, but for Sweden's Victory Challenge they are also a chance to showpiece their sport at home.

Despite Sweden's history in the cup - Swedes first challenged in 1977 - the pre-regattas are the first time in the event's 154-year history that an America's Cup qualifying race will take place in Sweden.

"It's a fantastic moment for Sweden and Swedish sailing," said Victory Challenge skipper Magnus Holmberg. "It's a great possibility to show the Swedish people what the America's Cup is and what a great event it is. I think we have a huge opportunity to reach out to more people than those who are already really into sailing."

Racing was scheduled to have started overnight, although it was looking a little dodgy yesterday, with rain and strong winds forecast.

In their opening matches, Team New Zealand were up against cup newcomers United internet Team Germany and China Team, neither of whom should pose them any problems.

The draw was devised from the results of the last pre-regatta, which means the second-seeded Emirates-sponsored Team New Zealand have what should be a relatively easy run into the regatta.

They face Desafio Espanol and Mascalzone Latino tonight before their first real battle against Team Luna Rossa on Monday.

Although the locals in Malmo (population 269,142) are big on soccer and horse racing, Swedish people are also avid yachting fans. Up to 150,000 spectators regularly turn out to watch the Swedish Match Tour event in Marstrand.

Cycling is also very popular in Malmo, although not so much the competitive kind as the social.

With hundreds if not thousands of bikes available for hire outside the city's central railway station, biking to and from the sailing venue has become the in thing for yachties.

* Alcatel has revealed two innovations that will enhance cup watching and could come in handy for New Zealand yachting fans.

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