LV NOW

Two finalists, Italian team Luna Rossa and Team Emirates New Zealand, battled out the last races, at times with glimpses of close racing. With Skipper Dean Barker and Team Emirates New Zealand in the lead and hardly any mechanical failures, they took 4-1 in the finals. According to Luna Rossa skipper Max Sirena, their team had to count on being perfect for any chances of winning against the kiwis.

Lo and behold Team Emirates New Zealand took the title and are now holders of the 34th Louis Vuitton Cup. They take on the challenge to race against Team Oracle USA on 7th September. Crowds gathered to view the prize awarded to the team and celebrations continued at a gala dinner at The Fairmont Hotel.

Since 1983 the Louis Vuitton Cup has been the trophy awarded to the winner of the Challenger Selection Series for the America’s Cup.

Representing the third generation of Vuittons, Gaston-Louis had many diverse interests which all were ultimately fundamental to the history of the House. Guided by his curiosity, his vision of travel and the desire to tackle subjects, his endeavors became, directly or indirectly, related to the future of the family business.

An erudite and collector since his childhood, Gaston-Louis accumulated many trunks and old travel articles from antiques, and auction rooms, as well as books, typography publications and, more specifically, hotel stickers (usually stuck on customers’ trunks). He conveyed his sense of architecture and design in artistic collaborations with the cutting edge of his time, producing objects both functional and aesthetic, including small cases, flasks, toiletry kits.

The selection of objects presented in this photo series tends to represent the rich diversity of his collection: most of these treasures were inspiration for the family business, others, like the “Despatch Box” suitcase or the crystal bottles set, were objects produced by the House in its will to always expand its field of activities and technical approaches.

The suitcase, which was his personal attaché-case, perfectly embodies this excellence in craftsmanship combined with a unique functional aspect represented by the side slot, allowing its owner to insert letters and documents in a confidential and discreet way.

Three decades ago, the Louis Vuitton Cup became the qualifying race that determines and prepares the challenger for the America’s Cup. This historic partnership is an apt pairing between the House and a trophy sought-after since 1851, two legends bonded by a love of travel and sea.

In this video we have a closer look onto the waters with a stronger idea of the speed taking place. Witness our teams’ physical prowess on each of the competing yachts along a backdrop of the subliminal San Francisco Bay and cityscape.

The winner of the Louis Vuitton Cup will take on holders team Oracle Racing for the America's Cup beginning on September 7.

Thousands of fans filled the Pavilion at the America’s Cup Park on a beautiful sunny 4th of July in San Francisco.  Fans were excited to welcome the teams and see a presentation from each country included an opera singer from Italy, a Swedish choir, the New Zealand Kapa Haka group, and a unique American performance by a Las Vegas group called ‘Recycled Percussion’.

Celebrations continued the following days with a Competitors Parade and Louis Vuitton Cup party held at the Palace of Legion of Honor.

At the Louis Vuitton Cup party, 24 musicians of "Magik Magik Orchestra" welcomed the guests, playing classical music live right in front of the Palace. Meanwhile, 3 beautiful acrobats flying the colors of each challenger's flag entertained the crowd, moving graciously in huge transparent bubbles.

A fashion show by World Of Wearable Art (WOW) was the highlight of the evening, where each challenging country was represented by a piece of wearable art. The costumes in the show were especially created for the 30th anniversary of the Louis Vuitton Cup.

The 8th regatta in the history of the Louis Vuitton Cup, taking place in the San Francisco Bay from July 4th to September 21st, promises to be a decisive and yet unpredictable event.

Decisive because of the three competing teams, only the winner will earn the right to challenge Oracle Team USA, the American titleholder, in the hope of capturing the 34th America's Cup trophy. Decisive too, for the defender, as a decision is made on which of its two boats will participate in the America's Cup during the trials that take place at the Louis Vuitton Cup.

Like the seven previous regattas, this 8th Louis Vuitton Cup offers an element of surprise. The three competing teams, Artemis Racing, Emirates Team New Zealand, and Luna Rossa have recruited the finest sailors, technicians and engineers in the world. Thus, the Louis Vuitton Cup will not only be a prestigious regatta, but also a crucial preparatory phase for an America's Cup featuring boats that are difficult to master and have never been used in competition before.