Toulon to host Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series in September

by 35th America's Cup 22 Dec 2015 15:18 GMT 10-11 September 2016

France will host the fifth Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series event of 2016 in September when racing comes to the Mediterranean city of Toulon.

Located between Marseille and St Tropez, Toulon will host the best sailors in the world, racing foiling, wing-sailed catamarans, on September 10-11, 2016.

"Toulon will be the third European city to host the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, and is the only stop on the Mediterranean," confirmed Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner of the America's Cup.

"We are expecting a passionate reception for Franck Cammas and Groupama Team France, and indeed all the competitors, as the series builds towards the 2017 America's Cup racing in Bermuda."

"It is tremendous to have a chance to demonstrate to French fans what this new America's Cup racing is all about," said Franck Cammas, the skipper of Groupama Team France.

"French sailors and fans are passionate about multihulls and speed, and it is only recently, with the shift to foiling catamarans, that the America's Cup has reflected this excitement. We can't wait to bring the racing to Toulon and to compete in front of a home crowd."

Hubert Falco, the Mayor of Toulon and president of 'Toulon Provence Méditerranée' said: "The Greater Toulon council is very proud to host the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series. This will give global exposure to our port and harbour, which is among the most beautiful in Europe as well as allowing us to demonstrate our ability to organize and accommodate such an important event."

"It is going to be fantastic to hold one of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series events here in France," said Bruno Dubois, the general manager of Groupama Team France. "We will be able to share with the public, our partners and the media a new dimension of our project. This follows the excitement generated earlier this month at the Paris Boat Show where our AC45 boat was on display. Now everyone can come and see it in action, flying over the bay of Toulon."

Building on the opening three events in 2015, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series calendar for 2016 is now nearly complete:

• February 27-28 in Muscat, Oman
• May 7-8 in New York, USA
• June 11-12 in Chicago, USA
• July 23-24 in Portsmouth, England
• September 10-11 in Toulon, France

Two additional events are expected: one in Asia in November 2016; and all six competitors have now unanimously agreed to add an additional Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series regatta in the first quarter of 2017.

Teams collect points in each Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series regatta. The top two teams at the conclusion of the series earn bonus points for the next stage of the competition, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers, in May 2017.

In June 2017, the 35th America's Cup will be raced in Bermuda.

Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series standings: (after three events)

• Emirates Team New Zealand; skipper Glenn Ashby / helmsman Peter Burling – 122 points
• ORACLE TEAM USA; skipper/helmsman Jimmy Spithill – 112 points
• Land Rover BAR; skipper/helmsman Ben Ainslie – 109 points
• Artemis Racing; skipper/helmsman Nathan Outteridge – 105 points
• SoftBank Team Japan; skipper/helmsman Dean Barker – 100 points
• Groupama Team France; skipper/helmsman Franck Cammas – 82 points