BMW Oracle training off San Diego and their skipper and CEO Rusell Coutts wearing Lewi Black Pearl G12 racing last week in Europe.

Russell Coutts is the CEO and Skipper of USA’s Challenger, BMW Oracle, who wears Lewi, Hard Kore, Gauge and Kore

Brad Butterworth is the CEO and Skipper of Switzerland’s 2x Defender, Alinghi, who wears Kore and Hard Kore.

They have been battling in court (rather team owners Larry Ellison (Chairman of Oracle) and Ernesto Bertarelli (former CEO of drug company, Serano), making them now bitter rivals.

As the most decorated in sailing, skipper (Coutts) and tactician (Butterworth) duo in the history of the America’s Cup, when they won the Cup for New Zealand in the early 90’s, then defended it, then skipped town for a huge offer from the then unknown Bertarelli, to come build the first ever challenger from Switzerland. Then they promptly won the cup for the first time (from their old Team New Zealand, who they defected from for Switzerland. The island country and the continent went nuts over this dynamic duo – who had been best friends since childhood.

Skip forward to the 21st Century and the former dynamic duo are the greatest in the game, their friendship hangs by a cordial thread, and they are now the Defender and Challenger of the next America’s Cup to be fought in the most outrageous race boats ever created – slated to start February 8 in UAE.

Kaenon Polarized will be the weapon worn by both Russell Coutts and Brad Butterworth in the much anticipated event that will make this next Cup race one of the greatest spectacles on earth.

FLIGHT VIDEO –

In this YouTube clip, compiled by Alinghi’s Media Team, there’s insane footage of the boat lifted out of Lake Geneva then flown through Saint-Bernard’s Pass to Genova, Italia, for her first sea trials.

In other news, Alinghi also announced the location of the America’s Cup race, a remote city in the United Arab Emirates expected to take place February. Alinghi’s skipper and CEO Brad Butterworth wears Hard Kore Tobacco.

Upwards of 10,000 people gathered in Lausanne to meet the team which was presented on stage along with 20 Alinghi Junior Crew selected from yacht clubs throughout Switzerland. ‘It is fantastic to see so many people today,’ said team president Ernesto Bertarelli, talking to the public gathered for the celebrations. ‘It is extremely important for our team to share moments like this one with you all – it is not just about sharing the victories but also about sharing the new beginnings and this is one. I thank everyone for their support.’

After the festivities ashore, Alinghi 5 led over a 1,000 boats the length of the Lake, by way of Morges, Rolle, Nyon and Versoix, to its home yacht club: Société Nautique de Genève where the team was welcomed by Federal Counselor Micheline Calmy-Rey for a short ceremony. The counselor hoisted the Swiss flag on the catamaran to the National Anthem before making a brief speech that touched on the technological feat that the team has achieved and her pride in the spirit of the multi-national Swiss team.

Next on the team agenda is to prepare Alinghi 5 for the flight over the Alps (BY A HELICOPTER!) into Italy to continue the training programme out of the Mediterranean port of Genoa.

Kaenon sailor since day 1 of our brand, Alinghi’s skipper and CEO Brad Butterworth in Hard Kore Tobacco, signing autographs.

Auckland, NZL (Feb. 14, 2009) – On the final day, Emirates Team New Zealand laid claim to the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, convincingly beating the Swiss team Alinghi with three consecutive wins on a grey, rainy and windy day on the Waitemata Harbour. The home team’s come-from-behind 3-1 victory marked the end of a 15-day match racing regatta in modified America’s Cup boats that drew praise for its format and its originality from all of the nine international teams that took part. Click here to read the full press release.

The Best Friends, former team mates and now bitter rivals, Brad Butterworth the skipper of Swiss team and Cup Defender Alinghi, and Russell Coutts, the skipper and helmsman USA’s BMW Oracle lined up to see who would challenge the Kiwis for the first ever Louis Vuitton Pacific Cup making it through to the Challenger Finals. Butterworth, alternating between Kore and Hard Kore, beat his longtime friend and former teammate Coutts who was wearing Lewi. Butterworth then lost in the finals to Team New Zealand, which left Auckland all a buzz with excitement and gossip over Valentines weekend.

Brad Butterworth, skipper and tactician about Alinghi wore Hard Kore and Kore.

KAENON POLARIZED IS A COMMON THEME IN THE FIRST LOUIS VUITTON PACIFIC SERIES IN AUCKLAND

Louis Vuitton has had an extremely long association with sailing, and the America’s Cup in particular – designed this trophy / piece of art that will go to the winners. On the Auckland waterfront, this tiny but very modern city goes abuzz over this event staged by Louis Vuitton.

(Auckland, NZ): Legendary French Luggage maker, Louis Vuitton became so upset waiting for the next America’s Cup regatta to be scheduled (due to disagreements between the defenders and challengers, it has been tied up in the US court system awaiting final rulings) that they decided to throw their own party, eerrr regatta, in the City of Sails, where sailing and their sailors are household names in Auckland, New Zealand. A round-robin format in equalized and existing America’s Cup yachts, they invited the current holder and defender, Alinghi from Switzerland (led by Kaenon’s Brad Butterworth wearing Kore C12 M) and all challengers interested in the next Cup, including the sole US entry, BMW Oracle, led by Kiwi and former skipper of Alinghi, Russell Coutts who’s wearing Lewi G12 this week. The two week party / exhibition began with match races held on the Waitemata Harbor (Auckland City Front) over the weekend.

Defending and current America’s Cup Skipper / Tactician Brad Butterworth wearing Kore Black C12 M leading his Swiss team Alinghi.
Kaenon Polarized has considerable presence on the bigger names (skippers, helmsman, tacticians, etc) and several crew on most every team.

• BMW Oracle Racing (USA) – Russell Coutts (NZL) – Lewi Black Pearl G12
• China Team (China) – Ian Williams (GBR) – Hard Kore Tobacco C12
• Team Origin (GBR) – Ben Ainslie (GBR)- Rhino – Ian Percy (GBR) – Hard Kore Tobacco C12
• Emirates Team NZ (NZL) – Ray Davies (NZL) – Hard Kore Black G12
• Alinghi – Brad Butterworth (NZL) – Kore Black M C12
• Luna Rossa (ITA) – Peter Holmberg (USVI) – Hard Kore Black G12 /Andy Horton (USA) – Hard Kore Black G12
• Pataugas K-Challenge (FRA) – several Kaenon sailors on board
• Greek Challenge (GRE) – Gavin Brady (NZL) – Kore Black C12 M

Beginning this Saturday in Auckland, New Zealand, long-time America’s Cup sponsor Louis Vuitton will host the first America’s Cup regatta since the last Cup challenge was held in Valencia, Spain in 2007. Featuring 10 strong challengers, including the current America’s Cup defending boat Alinghi, teams will compete in a rotation of evenly matched 1-generation-old America’s Cup class boats – equalizing the playing field and bringing the emphasis back to the skill of the sailors and teamwork on deck. As one of the most recognized sunglass brands in competitive sailing, Kaenon Polarized will have great presence on many of the boats, with three of the strongest teams led by Kaenon Polarized skippers Russell Coutts (Hard Kore, Lewi, Gauge) on BMW Oracle, Brad Butterworth (Hard Kore, Rhino, Lewi) on Alinghi, and triple Olympic gold medalist Ben Ainslie (Rhino, Hard Kore) on Team Origin. To learn more about this unique event visit: http://www.louisvuitton-pacificseries.com