Emirates Team NZ selects BMW Oracle For Semi

Emirates Team New Zealand selects BMW Oracle Racing for its semi-final opponent

Valencia, 28 June, 2006 - The three division winning skippers have chosen their opponents for the semi-finals of Louis Vuitton Act 12, allowing a complete provisional pairing list to be drafted.

At a press conference in the Port America's Cup Media Centre following racing, round robin winning skipper Dean Barker, of Emirates Team New Zealand, announced his team would choose to race BMW ORACLE Racing in its semi-final. That leaves Alinghi and Luna Rossa to race in the other pair in the top division.

"Choosing your opponent is not easy," Barker admitted. "It's a bit like choosing your own poison. But we see this as an opportunity to race against a boat that has a lot of innovative features."

Desafío Español skipper Karol Jablonski elected to race against Shosholoza, leaving Victory Challenge to face Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team.

"We chose Shosholoza because in our opinion this boat is very fast and competitive," Jablonski said. "We would like to match it against our boat."

Finally, Areva Challenge skipper Thierry Peponnet selected China Team for its opponent, with United Internet Team Germany and +39 Challenge making up the final pair.

The results and pairings remain provisional on Wednesday evening. The +39 Challenge has lodged a Request for Redress with the Jury, claiming that the tie-breaking mechanism the Race Committee employed to break the three way tie between Shosholoza, Areva Challenge and +39 Challenge was incorrect. The Request for Redress will be heard by the Jury at 10:00 on Thursday morning.

Racing in the semi-finals is scheduled to begin on Friday afternoon. Each series will be won by the first team to earn two points.

Points Leaderboard and semi-finals pairings (provisional)
Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Provisional Leaderboard

Position Matches sailed Won Points
1 Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL 84) 11 11 11
2 Luna Rossa Challenge (ITA 86) 11 10 10
3 Alinghi (SUI 75) 11 8 8
4 BMW ORACLE Racing (USA 87) 11 8 8
5 Desafío Español 2007 (ESP 88) 11 7 7
6 Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team (ITA 77) 11 6 6
7 Victory Challenge (SWE 63) 11 6 6
8 Team Shosholoza (RSA 83) 11 3 3
9 Areva Challenge (FRA 60) 11 3 3
10 +39 Challenge (ITA 59) 11 3 3
11 United Internet Team Germany (GER 72) 11 1 1
12 China Team (CHN 79) 11 0 0

provisional semi-finals pairings

DIVISION ONE
Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
BMW ORACLE Racing
Emirates Team New Zealand

Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Alinghi
Luna Rossa Challenge

DIVISION TWO
Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Desafío Español 2007
Shosholoza

Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Mascalzone Latino-Capitalia Team
Victory Challenge

DIVISION THREE
Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
Areva Challenge
China Team

Team Name Race 1 Race 2 Race 3 Total
United Internet Team Germany
+39 Challenge

** The first team listed in each pairing has starboard entry into the start box in the first race. The teams will alternate thereafter.
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Note to editors:

Since 1851, the America's Cup has transcended the sport of sailing to become a symbol of the pursuit of excellence. The official partners LOUIS VUITTON, ENDESA, SANTANDER, ALCATEL and the America's Cup share a heritage rich in passion, innovation and extraordinary achievement. The 32nd America's Cup enjoys the support of Nespresso, Adecco, Ford, El Corte Inglés, Estrella Damm, Grupo Leche Pascual and Coca-Cola.

Racing for the 32nd America's Cup - Valencia began with a series of Louis Vuitton Acts in 2004 and 2005. The competition continues in 2006, with three more Louis Vuitton Acts in Valencia, the Host City of the 32nd America's Cup.

Current event: Valencia Louis Vuitton Act 12 - Match Racing - 22 June to 3 July 2006.

In 2007, a fleet race event - Louis Vuitton Act 13 - will precede the Louis Vuitton Cup, the winner of which will race the Defender, Team Alinghi, in the America's Cup Match in Valencia.

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