America's Cup veteran considering pre-regatta in Malta

America's Cup three-time winner Russell Coutts is visiting Malta on April 1 for two days. Mr Coutts will be in Malta to assess the possibility of organising a pre-regatta in Malta in preparation for the America's Cup which is being hosted by Valencia...

America's Cup three-time winner Russell Coutts is visiting Malta on April 1 for two days.

Mr Coutts will be in Malta to assess the possibility of organising a pre-regatta in Malta in preparation for the America's Cup which is being hosted by Valencia in 2007.

Mr Coutts is fast becoming an America's Cup legend, winning all five races he skippered in the 1995 America's Cup, and leading 4-0 in the 2000 defence before handing the wheel to his understudy, Dean Barker, who went on to win the final race.

In 2000, then sailing with Ernesto Berterelli aboard Alinghi, Mr Coutts again won all five America's Cup contests, extending his record to 14-0 in the Cup, and breaking Dennis Conner's record of 13 wins.

Mr Coutts is still with Alinghi, the Swiss AC boat, and plans to extend his record run in 2007.

To achieve his aims, he is planning a new series of pre-regattas to measure its progress against the challengers in the years leading up to the next America's Cup.

Mr Coutts' stay will being sponsored by the Royal Malta Yacht Club and the Sports Ministry.

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