Everything started in Marseille, on the 5th of September, 2004. It was Louis Vuitton Act 1, the inaugural act of this 32nd America´s Cup, the historic European debut, and the act in which fleet races were reintroduced to the official America´s Cup programme (the last time was during the first edition, in 1870).
In October, the Cup moved to Valencia for Louis Vuitton Acts 2 & 3, and again in the early summer of 2005 for Acts 4 and 5, to kick of the year of the ‘roadshow’. In August competition was in Sweden for the first time, in Malmö-Skåne, for Acts 6 & 7. Finally, before moving to the Iberian Peninsula for good, the 32nd America’s Cup paid a visit to Trapani, also known as ‘the most African side of Sicily’ in the “Cities and countries of the 32nd America´s Cup¨ exposition, for Louis Vuitton Acts 8 & 9.
In 2006, Valencia Louis Vuitton Acts 10, 11 and 12 were held in the host city of the Cup, while the 13th and final act kicked off the 2007 season, and it will all end with the final match, between the top challenger – the winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup – and Alinghi, scheduled to begin on June 23.
Over the last 156 years the well-travelled Cup has been to the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Now it has arrived in Europe, bringing the excitement of its legendary history to those who, in the past, have perhaps not felt so close to it.
The exhibition, found at the Tinglado 5, contains reports on each of the cities involved in the 32nd America’s Cup. There are informative displays with pictures of Trapani´s famed archaeological sites and Sweden´s beautiful beaches, each with a brief synopsis of the tourist attractions, histories and economic conditions of the cities.
Amidst the displays, are scale replicas of various famous structures the cities are known for, from the Ligny Tower in Trapani, to Notre Dame de la Garde in Marseille and the Veles e Vents building you can see here at Port America’s Cup.
There is also a huge world map marked with small flags denoting the home of each of the teams. Desafío Español 2007 is the closest, as the home team, where China Team is clearly the farthest travelling 20 000 km to come to Valencia.
The exposition combines a medley of facts, and puts it into a special America´s Cup context. In the end it all comes together giving guests the opportunity to better understand the connection between some of the most beautiful cities in Europe and 32nd America´s Cup.
Lauren Richardson
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