Valencia to host Trophée Clairefontaine

French champion of champions event to feature two Alinghi teams, along with many of the usual suspects

The French champion of champions event, the Trophée Clairefontaine is being hosted in this its 19th year by the Marina Real Juan Carlos 1st, otherwise known as Valencia's Port America's Cup that featured last weekend in the F1 European Grand Prix. The Trophée Clairefontaine de Valencia will take place on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 September within this natural nautical stadium.

Eight great 'champion' will be racing. The line-up will include two crews from Team Alinghi, winner of the last America's Cup: one will have Amercian Ed Baird at the helm, the other Swiss multihull sailor Luc Dubois. In addition there will be defending champion Michel Desjoyeaux who won his fourth Trophée Clairefontaine last September and who is also invited for his victory in the 2007 Transat Jacques Vabre. Jean-Pierre Dick, skipper of the IMOCA Open 60 Paprec-Virbac II will also helm a boat following his win earlier this year in the Barcelona World Race, while perennial competitor and past winner Loick Peyron will also skipper a boat.

Aside from the Cup and Open 60 stars, also helming boats will be Nicolas Charbonnier, part of the K-Challenge America's Cup team and recently returned from representing France in the 470, no.1 women's match racer Claire LeRoy and Fernando Leon, skipper of the TP52 Cam.