History
The Marcel Bich's achievement
In 1983, seven Challengers turned up for the qualifying phase: three
Australians, "Australia II", "Challenge 12" and "Advance,"
the English boat "Victory 83," the Italian "Azzura,"
the Canadian "Canada One" and Yves Rousset-Rouard’s "France
III" skippered by Bruno Troublé.
The winner of this qualifying round, initiated by Bruno Troublé
and renamed the "Louis Vuitton Cup," would then go on to compete
against the American Defender "Liberty" skippered by Dennis
Conner.
It would turn out to be a historical moment in the history of the America's
Cup, not only because the number of races superseded the maximum of seven
allowed at the time, but especially because it saw "Australia III"
outstrip "Liberty" in the final stages of the last race.
After 132 years of domination, the Americans lost their precious Cup.
A new era dawned on the competition format, with new dimensions and even
new boats looming on the horizon. And perhaps the hundreds of men from
the 12 crews currently competing in the 32nd Cup held in Valencia, Spain,
will find out just what it is that Baron Bich left in his wake.
He achieved what he had set out to achieve and opened up a whole new
world to the America's Cup, which has since travelled to Australia,
California, New Zealand and today, Spain.
Indeed, eleven Challengers from around the world have gathered in Valencia
to battle it out in order to face the Swiss Defender.
Baron Marcel Bich had the vision to push the boundaries which most would
not even see. While he may not have won the America's Cup, he nevertheless
left his mark on the future of the Cup. As early as 1987, thirteen Challengers
embarked on the Louis Vuitton Cup held in Perth in order to have a chance
of winning the ultimate trophy.
The vision of Marcel Bich was fulfilled: the America's Cup has become,
more than ever, a global event.
Valence - Olivier Péretié and Dominique Pipat, May 2007
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