Louis Vuitton Act 12 Emirates Team New Zealand ahead of Alinghi © Bob Grieser

ith brisk winds, a welcoming sea and dream matches, the final phase of the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 proved quite a show in Valencia from June 22-July 2, offering an exciting taste of things to come in 2007. These final races of the season held special interest since they pitted current Defender Alinghi against Emirates Team New Zealand, making the regattas replete with symbolism.

The exceptional final duel had an air of déjà vu: nearly three years ago, the Swiss and New Zealand syndicates sailed against one another in the waters off Auckland in the America’s Cup...a contest that Team Alinghi ultimately won.

Although the stakes were admittedly not the same this time around, none of the symbolic impact was lost on the New Zealand crew, who are certainly already imagining a similar scenario next year in Valencia. The outcome would naturally let them regain the legendary Cup that was theirs for an eight-year stretch.

It took three races to separate the current Defender of the 32nd America's Cup and its "old" nemesis from Auckland, the New Zealand challenger. By handing Alinghi a 2-1 defeat, New Zealand topped the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 ranking, also earning the 2006 Louis Vuitton ACC Championship trophy, which crowns the top team of the season.

Yves Carcelle, CEO of Louis Vuitton; Grant Dalton, Head of syndicate  Emirates Team New Zealand; Dean Barker, skipper and Bruno Troublé, spokesperson of the Louis Vuitton Cup © Louis Vuitton

After returning to Valencia's Port America's Cup after the victory, Emirates Team New Zealand received the Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 trophy from the mayor of Valencia, Rita Barberá. The 2006 Louis Vuitton ACC Championship trophy was presented by Yves Carcelle, President and CEO of Louis Vuitton.

Louis Vuitton Act 13, the final fleet racing series open to all syndicates vying for the 32nd America’s Cup, will take place from April 3-7, 2007. Then, from April 18-June 12 the challengers will compete for the Louis Vuitton Cup. The winners of these knock-out rounds will earn the honor of sailing against the Defender, Team Alinghi, trying to wrest the Cup away during the 32nd America’s Cup Match, set for June 23-July 7.

(Published on July 7th, 2006)