Louis Vuitton Act 2 of the America’s Cup pre-regattas was swept up by New Zealand following an unexpected twist of events that nearly cost the team the competition altogether.
Emirates Team New Zealand, who became only the third country ever to hold the Cup in its 132-year history following their ground-breaking victory in 1995, hit storms in Marseille that put paid to their yacht, NZL 82.

The yacht seems to be cursed, in fact, given that the Kiwis were thrashed 0-5 in it by Swiss team Alinghi in the 31st Cup.
In order to make it to Act 2 on time, Emirates Team NZ had to fly their vessel NZL 81 to the Port of Valencia at a cost of one million US dollars. Upon arrival, the crew barely had time to dust itself off and make the necessary safety checks on the yacht before hitting the water.
This triumphant, against-all-odds win took the wind out of Alinghi’s sails, the crew having finished a humble fourth despite being well-starred for victory following their historical win in the 2003 Cup – the first Switzerland had ever entered – and having come second to USA crew BMW Oracle Racing in the Act 1 tournament in Marseille.

Not to be beaten, Alinghi charged back into the lead during the first two days of the Act 3 regatta, on Thursday and Friday last week.
However, on Saturday 16, the penultimate day of the tournament, all crew members were sent back to base because of near-gale-force winds reaching 30 knots.
Sailing resumed again on Sunday 17, with BMW Oracle Racing taking first place in race one and Alinghi coming in second in race two, behind Emirates Team NZ.
As a result, team Alinghi was pronounced the overall winner of Act 3, although the real victory was for the Kiwis who were presented with the America’s Cup Season Champion Trophy for 2004.
Their surprise win in the face of setbacks and challenges was even more remarkable given their sorry defeat in the 2003 Cup.

Organised trips

Wolfgang and Lucía of Catsailing (normally based in the Xàbia port) have been running trips to the Port of Valencia to allow spectators to witness these exciting regattas from close-up and feel the adrenalin-rush as the teams pound across the water in pursuit of their goal.
You can spend an entire day on board their catamaran, Lotus, where you could not be closer to the action without being on one of the teams’ own vessels and with their friendly, welcoming manner, and expert knowledge of sailing, you will not only feel very at home but also get the best out of your experience as a spectator.
They intend to run trips like these for the next America’s Cup tournaments, which will continue in June 2005 with the Louis Vuitton Acts 4 and 5. Catsailing also offers two- and three-day mini-cruises to Ibiza. Contact them on 617 030 711 for further details.