Yachting: Regatta 'first part of cup'

Grant Dalton. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Now that the dust has settled on one of the bleakest periods in the history of the America's Cup, the next round of the Louis Vuitton Trophy beginning in Auckland in just over a week has taken on a whole new level of significance.

A 2-year dispute between BMW Oracle and Alinghi over the rules of the 33rd America's Cup was finally settled on the water this month with the US syndicate's emphatic victory in Valencia.

The details of the next America's Cup event have yet to be decided - the where, the when and under what rules are all still being worked through by BMW Oracle owner Larry Ellison and his chief executive Sir Russell Coutts.

But given that the American syndicate appear genuine in their desire to get back to a traditional multichallenger event with rules that will create a level playing field for all, the future of the event is looking decidedly rosier.

And so, with things appearing to be back on track, Emirates Team New Zealand boss Grant Dalton believes next month's Louis Vuitton Trophy is effectively the first regatta of the next America's Cup cycle.

"I think having some level of clarity with the America's Cup absolutely gives [this event] more teeth. It is the first regatta of the next America's Cup, and it just happens to be in Auckland, which is great," said Dalton.

Talks to integrate the Louis Vuitton Trophy as part of the next America's Cup have already taken place between Bruno Trouble, who manages the company's sponsorship programme, and Oracle as part of a series of discussions designed to overhaul the management of the event.

They include a reinstatement of a challenger series which, as the old Louis Vuitton Cup, was part of the America's Cup for 25 years before a falling out with Ernesto Bertarelli, the owner of Alinghi.

By winning the 32nd match in 2007, Bertarelli also won the right to organise the 33rd.

The French luxury goods maker withdrew its support and in conjunction with World Sailing Teams Association (WSTA), created last year with Team New Zealand as one of its founding partners, set up a rival regatta series known confusingly as the Louis Vuitton Trophy, which started in Nice last November.

Trouble said while nothing has been settled, he hopes the current series will become a preamble to the America's Cup.

"With the Americans winning it is great news for us because, as you know, Larry Ellison is also founding member of the WSTA. Larry and Russell Coutts are both very strong supporters of the Louis Vuitton Trophy."

But Trouble said for now the series continued to fulfil its original purpose, which was to keep the syndicates active during uncertain times.

The long legal battle between Oracle and Alinghi, and subsequent Deed of Gift Challenge in Valencia, cast other sailing teams to the sidelines.

With the teams reduced to mere spectators while they awaited an outcome to the dispute, many were forced to shut down as sponsors fled.

Team New Zealand were the only syndicate to keep their head above water and maintain a fulltime sailing programme.

Trouble said with the WSTA fielding more and more calls from teams wanting to compete in the Louis Vuitton series, it is clear the syndicates are gathering momentum again.

"Everyone is waking up now after this event in Valencia," said Trouble.