The 'Road to Valencia' begins in Switzerland

The 'Road to Valencia' begins in Switzerland

Valencia, 20 February, 2007 - The 32nd America's Cup is launching 'Road to Valencia', a promotional tour leading to the start of the decisive phase of the competition, with its first stop scheduled, appropriately enough, in Geneva, Switzerland on 26th February.

It was a Swiss team, Alinghi, which won the America's Cup in March, 2003. In the process, Alinghi became the first European team to claim the Auld Mug, and bring it back to the old continent. Its yacht club, the Société Nautique de Genève, selected Valencia, Spain to host the 32nd edition of the America's Cup.

The 'Road to Valencia' is a five-city tour which leads to the ultimate stages of the 32nd America's Cup. Following competition in Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004, 2005 and 2006, the final season of racing in Valencia is now just weeks away.

On the 3rd April, all 12 America's Cup teams begin their final campaign which will end with a new winner hoisting the oldest sporting trophy in the world into the air in triumph early in July.

'Road to Valencia' marks the build-up of emotion to these decisive moments of the 32nd America's Cup. From Geneva, 'the road' runs through Paris (28th February - 1st March), Rome (5th March), and Berlin, (7th-8th March), before concluding in Madrid (12th-13th March). At each stop, there will be a press conference for the media along with a special VIP dinner.

For the general public, one of the most compelling features of the 'Road to Valencia' is a unique slide show featuring images from racing in Marseille, Valencia, Malmö-Skåne and Trapani. Uniquely, these images will be projected on the sides of landmark buildings in each city. In Geneva, the images will be displayed on the Hôtel Beau-Rivage, along the Quai du Mont-Blanc on the evening of the 27th February from 19.00.

In Paris, the Maison Louis Vuitton on the Champs-Elysées will be the backdrop on the evening of March 1st. The evening projection in Rome takes place on the 5th March at Palazzo Ferrajoli at Piazza Colonna, and in Berlin on the 8th March at the Universal Music Entertainment GmbH. The final stop on the 'Road to Valencia' is Madrid, where the images will be projected on the Teatro Español and Hotel Me, at Plaza Santa Ana beginning at 20.00 on the 13th of March.

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Since 1851, the America's Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of the pursuit of excellence. Offical partners LOUIS VUITTON, ENDESA, SANTANDER, ALCATEL - LUCENT and the America's Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and extraordinary achievement. The 32nd America's Cup enjoys the support of Nespresso, Adecco, Ford, El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm, Grupo Leche Pascual, Coca-Cola and Vodafone.

Racing for the 32nd America's Cup began with a series of Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004, 2005 and 2006 across Europe. It will end in 2007, with Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 13 - Fleet Racing - 3 to 7 April which precedes the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger selection series (April 16 - June 12). The winner will race the Defender, Alinghi, in the 32nd America's Cup Match beginning June 23, 2007.

Web: www.americascup.com or http://media.americascup.com

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