Yachting: Three Acts in 2006 America's Cup schedule

The organisers of the next America's Cup have released the provisional dates and format for the 2006 season.

The 2006 racing programme will consist of three Louis Vuitton Acts. All racing will be on the waters off Valencia, the Cup host city.

Racing is scheduled to begin with Louis Vuitton Act 10, a six day match racing regatta on 11 May. This will follow the same round robin format of the events this year. It will be followed immediately with a three day fleet racing event, Act 11, from 19-21 May.

The racing season will conclude with the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12, a match racing regatta that includes a round robin, semi final, and final. Racing in Act 12 is scheduled to start on 22 June, concluding on 2 July.

Meanwhile, America's Cup defender Alinghi has a stranglehold on the points table for the current season championship, leading Emirates Team NZ by 8 points and Luna Rossa and BMW Oracle Racing by 9 points.

"We want to win and finish the year on a good note," said Brad Butterworth, the tactician on Alinghi, as he looked forward to the final races of the season. "I enjoy the fleet racing; I think it's a great add-on. It's not easy to lead around the mark in this fleet. I love it."