NZ take the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup

Triumphant Emirates Team New Zealand won their fifth straight match against runners-up Luna Rossa Challenge today, clinching the Louis Vuitton Cup and qualifying as challengers to the America's Cup.

It's been four years since Team New Zealand lost the Americas Cup to the Swiss Alinghi Team and now they are a big step closer in bringing it back home. There is 2.5 week break scheduled before the 32nd America's Cup racing begins, but once it starts the competition will be fierce.

05-June-2007
Match point in the Louis Vuitton Cup

It's all but over for Luna Rossa Challenge as Emirates Team New Zealand had another strong race, beating the Italians by 52 seconds today. With the Kiwis needing just one more victory, tomorrow may be the day that they win the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup.

03-June-2007
NZ on a roll

Emirates Team New Zealand made it three in a row today as they dispatched of Luna Rossa Challenge by a strong 1 minute 38 seconds. NZ are just two wins away from taking the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup, in contrast to the Italian team which would need to win 5 out of the next 7 matches. Racing is scheduled to continue on Tuesday 5th June.

02-June-2007
Kiwis extend their lead

Luna Rossa Challenge have their work cut out for them now as Emirates Team New Zealand dominated today's race, setting the Kiwis up for a two match lead in the first-to-five final series of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

01-June-2007
Close match puts NZ to a 1-0 lead

It was a battle of the titans today as Emirates Team New Zealand meet Luna Rossa Challenge in the first match of the Louis Vuitton Cup final series. Neither team had a statistical advantage going into the race, and as expected it was a very close match. But the NZ team maintained their narrow lead throughout the race and managed to hold off the Italian's challenge to the final flag, winning by a mere 8 seconds.

23-May-2007
NZ through to the LV Cup finals

Emirates Team New Zealand took no chances today - they were quick over the starting line then led Desafío Español throughout the match, winning by over 1 minute. NZ will now race against Luna Rossa Challenge in the Louis Vuitton Cup Finals, due to start on June 1st.

20-May-2007
The Spanish make it 4-2

It was all or nothing for Desafío Español 2007 as they went into today's match down 4 races to 1. But they defeated Emirates Team New Zealand in a close race, proving that they're still in with a fighting chance to qualify for the Louis Vuitton Cup finals. New Zealand need just one win out of the remaining three matchs in order to qualify, but today's race showed that they can't afford to relax.

Luna Rossa Challenge dispatched of BMW Oracle Racing in the other semifinal match today, sending the Americans home - the Italians have now secured their place in the finals.

19-May-2007
Emirates TNZ lead 4:1

It's almost over for Desafío Español 2007 as Emirates Team New Zealand beat them today to go up 4-1 in the 1st-to-5 semifinal series. It was a close start, but the Kiwis managed to pull ahead of the Spanish on the first leg and continued to grow their lead from there on, coming in 1:49 ahead at the finish line. Luna Rossa Challenge also lead their pairing by 4-1 as they defeated BMW Oracle Racing by 1:57 in the other match of the day. The Spanish and Americans would need an unlikely 4 wins in a row if they were to qualify for the final round.

18-May-2007
NZ back in winning form

Emirates Team New Zealand came back strongly today after Wednesday's loss. They were quick off the mark and remained ahead of Desafío Español throughout the match to win by 42 seconds. NZ are now 3-1 up in the semi-final series and need just two more wins to secure their place in the Louis Vuitton Cup finals.

16-May-2007
NZ lose, but still up 2-1

Today's racing was nothing like the previous two semi-final races as Emirates Team New Zealand were penalised in the pre-start and Desafío Español 2007 got off to an early lead. The penalty didn't affect the race much as Emirates TNZ never really looked much like catching up for the entire match. The Spanish will go into friday's race with renewed enthusiasm, though at this stage New Zealand still lead the series 2-1.

15-May-2007
New Zealand take another win

Things are looking good for Emirates Team New Zealand as they comfortably beat Desafío Español 2007 in their second semifinal race today. New Zealand are now two up in the best of nine semifinal series. In the other semifinal grouping, Luna Rossa Challenge and BMW Oracle Racing are currently tied with one race each.

14-May-2007
1:0 to Emirates Team New Zealand

New Zealand sail to victory in their first race of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-finals. It was an interesting match with the Kiwis taking a strong lead early on and the Spanish playing catch-up for the rest of the race. New Zealand held out to win by a convincing 43 seconds.

9-May-2007
New Zealand qualify in the top spot - will race against Desafío Español 2007

Emirates Team New Zealand have had an excellent run in Round Robin 2 as they won all of their matches. In their final race of Round Robin 2 they defeated the prior top team, BMW Oracle Racing. As winner's of the Round Robin stages of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the New Zealand team were granted the priviledge of selecting their opponent for the semi-final races. They have chosen to race against Desafío Español 2007, and the racing commences on Monday with the first match in the first-to-five series.

8-May-2007
Emirates Team New Zealand send Victory Challenge home as they beat the Swedes in their second-last match of Round Robin 2. Four teams have now qualified for the Louis Vuitton Cup semi finals, with New Zealand sailing against toprunners BMW Oracle Racing tommorrow.

7-May-2007
The Kiwis remain in top form as they dispatched of rivals Luna Rossa Challenge today.

6-May-2007
Emirates Team New Zealand are through to the Louis Vuitton Semi-finals

After their convincing win over China Team today, the Kiwis sealed their place in the semi final stage of the Louis Vuitton Cup. Two other teams have also qualified: BMW Oracle Racing and Luna Rossa Challenge. NZ have been undefeated so far in the Round Robin 2 matches and are currently sitting in 2nd position but aiming for the top.

4-May-2007
The New Zealander's had a great day of sailing today, winning both of their matches and putting them within 1 point of the top of the Louis Vuitton Cup rankings. The Kiwis are well positioned to qualify for the cup semi finals but they are yet to race against their two toughest competitors in Round Robin 2 so there is no room for complacency.

3-May-2007
The NZ team have an important match against the Spanish team Desafío Español 2007 today. The Kiwis are hoping to sail in for a 2 point win to put them within 1 point of second position, while the Spaniards are looking to close the gap on third position.