The America’s Cup is the oldest trophy in active competition, predating the modern Olympics by a number of years. It is arguably one of the most important events of the sailing calendar, with countries from all over the world vying for supremacy and a chance to take home the ‘Auld Mug’. Next year’s competition will see current champion Alinghi (Switzerland) take on the BMW Oracle (USA) in a series of races.

Team New Zealand, who relinquished ownership of the America’s Cup to Alinghi in 2003, are going to hold a race series in Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, for sailing syndicates left idle by the current champion and American challenger.

The victor will be given the chance to compete against Team New Zealand in a final set of races to be held at a later date. Helen Clark, the prime minister of New Zealand, is said to be overjoyed at the news: “This is an exciting development for Auckland. It will attract international spectators and tourists, and focus international media attention on our biggest city as our team […] races against the world's top sailors.” The event will be sponsored by the New Zealand government and Louis Vuitton.

The Swiss team will be hoping to defend their title for the second time when the America’s Cup begins anew in Valencia next year. Unfortunately, the competition has been affected by a legal tussle that is yet to be resolved.

After beating Team New Zealand in 2007, Alinghi upset the Oracle team by announcing that the next event would be contested under different rules. The Americans felt that the new rules gave the Swiss an unfair advantage. A meeting is scheduled for this weekend in order to help the two boat owners reach an amicable agreement.

The 33rd America’s Cup is expected to begin in late May or early June, 2009, but the outcome of the court battle may yet force alterations to both the start date and the venue.

Written by Chris Illingworth