Emirates Team New Zealand claims the Louis Vuitton

Emirates Team New Zealand claims the Louis Vuitton Cup

The entire Emirates Team New Zealand squad climbed up on the prize giving stage to receive the Louis Vuitton Cup on Wednesday evening, after winning the fifth race of the Final, to sweep their way into the America's Cup Match.

The Louis Vuitton Cup trophy arrived in Port America's Cup on the back of a paraglider before it was presented to the team by Yves Carcelle, the President and CEO of Louis Vuitton Malletier. "Today, we have a fantastic winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup," Mr. Carcelle said, handing the trophy to skipper Dean Barker and team leader Grant Dalton.

"I would just like to say congratulations to Luna Rossa, they were a fantastic team and gave us a very good contest," said Dalton, paying tribute to his vanquished opponent. Then, addressing the crowd of 15 000 on hand for the prize giving: "I want to say to all of you, to all of our supporters here and in New Zealand, you are absolutely brilliant - we love you!"

The Emirates Team New Zealand squad was also joined on stage by Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the organisers of the 32nd America's Cup and Antoine Arnault, the Director of Communications for Louis Vuitton. Shortly after receiving the trophy, the team enjoyed a champagne moment, spraying magnums of Moët & Chandon over each other, filling the trophy and drinking from the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The Emirates performance was impressive; the 5-0 sweep was the first time in Louis Vuitton Cup history that the final scoreline had been so one-sided. Certainly the Luna Rossa team was impressed.

"I think they had a little edge on speed and they had a perfect week where everything went their way," said Luna Rossa tactician Torben Grael. "When the competition is at this level, and everything is going their way, they are making very few mistakes, it's hard to beat them.They did sail a very good series, and all we can do is congratulate them for their victory."

The next task for Emirates Team New Zealand is facing Alinghi in the 32nd America's Cup Match. Throughout the four years of Louis Vuitton Acts, the Kiwis and the Alinghi team have sailed 10 matches, with the Emirates squad holding a 6-4 advantage. Last year, the Kiwis won 4 of 5 races. Alinghi is prepared for a tough battle commencing 23 June.

"I think they are just sailing very well," said Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth in a statement released by his team. "They have had the benefit of the Louis Vuitton Cup to get their game bigger and better so they are a force to be reckoned with. Obviously they are on top of their game."

The 32nd America's Cup Match begins on 23 June. It is a 'first to five' series - the first team to win five races will win the America's Cup.

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