Sicily to close 2005 America's Cup season

by 32nd America's Cup on 15 Feb 2005 Trapani, a picturesque city on the western tip of Sicily, Italy will be the venue for the Trapani Louis Vuitton Acts 8 & 9.

The back-to-back events, beginning late in September this year and featuring Match and Fleet Racing, will conclude the racing season for the America's Cup in 2005. Four other Louis Vuitton Acts this year in Valencia, Spain and Malmö-Skåne, in Sweden, will precede the action in Trapani.

As with other venues used for the 32nd America's Cup, Trapani is able to accommodate the fleet close to the race course, provide reliable sailing conditions, and enable the public to get close to the action, both ashore and afloat. Trapani's race courses have the added attraction of the beautiful Egadi Islands as a stunning backdrop.

‘The 32nd America's Cup is not bound by convention,’ said Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the America's Cup organisers. ‘The America's Cup is unique and innovative, and so is this venue.

'Trapani has the kind of qualities we need to stage a spectacular event in abundance; the wind and sailing conditions are great, there is plenty of waterfront space integrated right into the city, and with two Italian challengers, local interest in the event is extremely high.

The race course area is among the most beautiful maritime settings in the world. I know this is going to be a hugely popular event.’

America's Cup organisers reached the agreement to bring the America's Cup to Trapani with the collaboration of the Italian government, and the support of the Sicilian regional government.

The Trapani Louis Vuitton Act 8, a Match Racing regatta begins on the 29th of September, 2005. Act 9, a three-day Fleet Racing event, follows immediately, with racing scheduled to start on the 7th of October, 2005. The 2005 America's Cup Class season champion will be crowned following the two Trapani competitions.

With the two Louis Vuitton Acts in Trapani, the America's Cup will have travelled across Northern and Southern Europe to three venues, in addition to its host city in Valencia, Spain in 2004 and 2005.

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