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25 August 2005, 02:54 pm

Sky Sports Secures TV Rights

America's Cup 2007

Valencia, Spain

The British broadcaster Sky Sports has secured the UK television rights to the 32nd America's Cup. The network will broadcast coverage of each stage of the event, beginning with the opening Louis Vuitton Acts in 2005, 2006 and April 2007, and continuing through the Louis Vuitton Cup challenger selection series and 32nd America's Cup Match in 2007.

'I am very happy to announce this agreement with Sky Sports,' said Michel BONNEFOUS, the CEO of the organisers of the 32nd America's Cup. 'First of all because the United Kingdom is one of the most passionate countries about the America's Cup, and it was in England where everything began more than 150-years ago. Furthermore, many top sailors on the twelve teams are British, among them Olympic medal winners. This arrangement with Sky Sports will allow sailing fans in the UK and Ireland to watch the races and follow all of the action in the 32nd America's Cup.'

The agreement means Sky Sports will broadcast live coverage of the 32nd America's Cup Match in June 2007, when the Swiss Defender, Alinghi, faces the best of the 11 challengers.

Alinghi's opponent for the Match is selected through the Louis Vuitton Cup, an elimination series consisting of Round Robins, Semi Finals and Final. Sky Sports will have coverage of the Round Robins, and live programming from the Semi Finals and Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Programming begins on August 28

The first America's Cup programming on Sky Sports will consist of magazine programmes profiling the Louis Vuitton Acts, an opening series of regattas around Europe in 2005 and 2006, and at the beginning of April 2007. Programming begins with a 30-minute show on Sky Sports 3 on Sunday, 28 August, and continues with new programmes each day through t 6 of September. Coverage of the following events will begin with the Trapani Acts in October of this year.

Sue ASHWORTH, Commercial Manager of Sky Sports said; 'Sky Sports will use the latest TV technology to make the America's Cup gripping for all of our viewers. There will be virtual graphics, on-board cameras, computer tracking and all the best kit to take new followers and devoted fans to the core of this sport.'

Racing begins in the Malmö-Skåne Louis Vuitton Acts 6 & 7 on Thursday 25 August.

AC Media (As Amended by ISAF)