Triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie will lead Britain's TeamOrigin when it competes in the new Louis Vuitton Pacific Series regatta taking place off Auckland, New Zealand beginning later this month, the team announced Friday.
The British Challenger for the 33rd America's Cup, is one of 10 teams preparing to compete in the event between Jan. 30 and Feb. 14. and which will sail version 5 America's Cup racing boats _ the class of boat used in the last America's Cup.
"Given the delays we have experienced in America's Cup matters during 2007 and 2008, it will be very refreshing to get out on the water and race again," Ainslie said. "For TeamOrigin, it will be a chance to get our sailors together and race against some top teams which I am very much looking forward to."
The final entry list for the regatta comprises 10 teams representing nine countries.
The Louis Vuitton Cup has in the past been the challenger series that determines which team goes on to challenge the holder _ currently Switzerland's Alinghi _ for the America's Cup.
The aim of the new regatta is to allow all former Louis Vuitton Cup competitors to get back on the water and compete in a match race series.
The future of the America's Cup itself remains in limbo until a New York appeals court rules as to whether Desafio Espanol is a legitimate challenger of record. The Cup has been paralyzed by the near 18-month court case and racing cannot begin before a judgment is reached.
The BMW Oracle team, bankrolled by software billionaire Larry Ellison, contends that Desafio Espanol is not a legitimate yacht club and therefore is not entitled to be the challenger of record.
A decision could emerge as early as Feb. 10 when the judge is scheduled to hear oral arguments.
