Presentation of the afterguard of Pataugas by K-Challenge - Louis Vuitton Pacific Series

PATAUGAS by K-CHALLENGE: D-Day - 2 FROM THE START OF THE LOUIS VUITTON PACIFIC SERIES

Auckland, New Zealand - 2009-01-28

Training for the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series continues in Auckland, New Zealand, where the crew members are now really eager to start the real competition.

The draw for the first Round Robin has decided the pairs who will sail against each other in the two pools.

Pataugas by K-Challenge is in pool A, with China Team, Damiani Italia Challenge, BMW Oracle Racing and Emirates Team New Zealand, and the matches will be raced on BMW Oracle Racing's boats.

We find in pool B the five other competitors, that is to say Alinghi, Shosholoza, Luna Rossa, Greek Challenge and Team Origin, who will sail on their side with Emirates Team New Zealand´s boats.


The rules are simple : the three firsts of each pool go up to a first group which is the « gold fleet » for Round Robin 2. The four remaining teams go to a second group named « silver fleet », still for Round Robin 2.

The winner of the gold fleet goes directly to the challengers final, (Emirates Team New Zealand goes directly to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Cup final, their points in the Round Robin don´t count).

The other teams will finally compete in quarter and semi finals. The winner will take part to the challengers final, where the happy winner will be able to race the Louis Vuitton Pacific Cup against Emirates Team New Zealand.

Pataugas by K-Challenge will sail its first match against China Team on Friday, January 30, with Ian Williams as helmsman.


Sebastien Col, Skipper and Helmsman for Pataugas by K-Challenge: « the draw is not better for one or the others within the competitors. We start with the two most accessible teams in the group for us, if I can say that: China Team and Damiani Italia Challenge. We should know soon if we are in the game. Regarding China Team, it is good that Ian Williams is here, as it shows that the World Match Racing Tour gives an access to the highest level of competition, and it is almost a compulsory school to get to the America´s Cup. On my side, I continue the work on the starts for the two last days of training, in order to be ready on D-Day! »

Photo credits :
Photo 1, training : Gilles Morelle
Photo 2/Draw:
©Paul Todd/outsideimages.co.nz




Stephanie Nadin

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