Alinghi begins defense of America’s Cup

VALENCIA, Spain – Four years of testing, training and spending will come to a head when the Italy’s Alinghi and Emirates Team New Zealand face off for the America’s Cup.

Defending champion Alinghi begins the first European defense of the Auld Mug in its 156-year history when the best-of-9 match race series begins today off Port America’s Cup.

“Four years of waiting, four years of great work. Yes, I’m excited,” Alinghi owner Ernesto Bertarelli said Friday.

Emirates Team New Zealand won the coin toss to determine entry positions, and will have the advantageous starboard side for each odd-numbered race.

Whether that provides Emirates Team New Zealand with a psychological boost in the repeat of the 2003 final – which the Swiss team swept 5-0 in Auckland, New Zealand – is inconsequential to the Kiwis.

“Certainly there are a lot of lessons we can take from 2003,” said Kiwi helmsman Dean Barker, who is sailing in his third America’s Cup. “It made the guys a lot tougher mentally. But it’s such a long time ago now that you have to let it go eventually.”

Alinghi has been watching from the sidelines since it won Louis Vuitton Act 13 – the last of the fleet races involving the defender and 11 challengers – in mid-April.