Dubai : Emirates Team New Zealand's special bond with Dubai proved pivotal in the city beating a host of other bids to land a Louis Vuitton Trophy regatta for the 2010 season according to one of the competition's top officials.
Speaking to XPRESS on the sidelines of the event's launch earlier this week, Yves Carcelle, Chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton said: "Dubai was praised a lot by Team New Zealand who have been one of the founders of this organisation."
The two-time America's Cup champions have enjoyed the backing of Dubai-based carrier Emirates airline since 2003, and Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said: "We're not a local team but we feel local, certainly I do with the association with Emirates for so long. I'm just excited because I've wanted to have this here for years and now we're able to do it."
Formerly, the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup would challenge the holder of the America's Cup, but Carcelle stressed the newly created Louis Vuitton Trophy "has nothing to do with the America's Cup". He also revealed the possibility of the event being sailing's only top-quality competition on offer for an indefinite period due to the America's Cup legal battle between Société Nautique de Genève and Golden Gate Yacht Club. "In theory, the logic is one day, the cup will come back to the original format. But as of now, the egos have reached such a level between the two that each time there is a move there is a new legal action. There have been 11 legal actions so far. But maybe this trophy for a period of time will be the only thing that happens," he said.
Dalton said his crew will also help Dubai International Marine Club, who will host the event starting November 13, promote the sport among Emiratis. "We would like to initiate a programme between now and then with the club where we get some Emiratis out sailing. It's a discussion we will have in the following months," said the Kiwi veteran.
How the Louis Vuitton Trophy was born
Back in February last year, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series saw 10 teams compete in a 15-day event on Auckland's Waitemata Harbor in match race duels eventually won by Emirates Team New Zealand. The event received praise for its format and originality which led to Louis Vuitton creating the Louis Vuitton Trophy. www.louisvuittontrophy.com
Trophy tale
In February last year, the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series saw 10 teams compete in a 15-day event on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour in match-race duels eventually won by Emirates Team New Zealand. The event received praise for its format and originality which led to Louis Vuitton creating the Louis Vuitton Trophy. For more info, visit www.louisvuittontrophy.com
