32nd America’s Cup On TV In 8 Nth European Nations

The 32nd America’s Cup will be shown on television in Sweden and seven other Northern European countries

Valencia, 25th May, 2005 – The 32nd America’s Cup Match will be seen live on Swedish television, along with seven other Northern European countries following an agreement between the America’s Cup organisers and Viasat Broadcasting, a leading European broadcaster. Viasat Broadcasting has acquired exclusive television rights to the 32nd America’s Cup for Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Hungary. Programming will begin this year with coverage of the Louis Vuitton Acts, and magazine programs.

“We are delighted to have Viasat as our broadcasting partner for eight Northern European countries,” said Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the America’s Cup organisers. “With the America’s Cup in Europe for the first time, the Swedish Victory Challenge returning as a competitor and the Louis Vuitton Acts 6 & 7 in Malmö-Skåne this sum mer, Northern Europe and Scandinavia in particular, is more involved in the America’s Cup than ever before. We are very happy that so many people in the region will now be able to enjoy all of the action through Viasat broadcasts.”

In 2005, there are three venues hosting double Louis Vuitton Acts – Valencia, Spain, Malmö-Skåne, Sweden and Trapani, Italy. For each venue, Viasat will broadcast up to seven highlight programmes, in addition to daily news feeds. There are a further 15 magazine programmes between now and the start of racing in 2007.

In 2007, the television action is live, and beginning in April 2007, Viasat will bring live coverage from all of the Round Robins, Semi Finals and the Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup, as well as the 32nd America’s Cup Match in June of 2007, to viewers across Northern Europe.

“We will also be providing high quality news, profiles, analysis and updates from the world's premier sailing competition, the America’s Cup, ” said Magnus Dahlborn, Head of Viasat Sport Sweden. “With the highly competitive Swedish team, Victory Challenge, following its huge success in Auckland in 2002, we are delighted to have acquired the broadcasting rights to the overall event, which will enable viewers to follow the regattas in Valencia, Malmö-Skåne and Sicily this year.”

Viasat Broadcasting is a leading European broadcaster, with over 30 channels in 19 countries, with distribution through satellite, cable, terrestrial services, and broadband television.

This television agreement is similar in terms and scope to those previously reached with leading broadcasters, including TVE in Spain, Canal+ in France, ARD/ZDF in Germany, and La7 in Italy. More television agreements for the 32nd America’s Cup are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.

Note to editors:

Since 1851, the America’s Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of th e pursuit of excellence.

The official partners LOUIS VUITTON, ENDESA, SANTANDER, ALCATEL and the America’s Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and extraordinary human achievement.

The 32nd America’s Cup enjoys the support of Nespresso, Adecco, and Ford; our Supporters, and valuable contributors to the America’s Cup.

Racing for the 32nd America’s Cup – Valencia began with a series of Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004. The competition continues in 2005 and 2006, with several more Louis Vuitton Acts in Malmö-Skåne, Trapani, and Valencia, the Host City of the 32nd America’s Cup.

In 2007, a fleet race event will precede the Louis Vuitton Cup, the winner of which will then race the Defender, Team Alinghi, in the America’s Cup Match in Valencia

THE AMERICA’S CUP – THE STAGE FOR CREATING LEGENDS.

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