New venue for iShares Cup

St Malo out, Hyeres in for this year's Extreme 40 series

Contrary to previous report, the 2008 iShares Cup Sailing Series is now set to visit Hyères, the legendary French sailing venue, on 13-15 June.

The iShares Cup in Extreme 40 catamarans is this year set to visit five venues around Europe - each chosen for their superb sailing, top spectator viewing and stunning locations. Hyères is now confirmed as the second city on the circuit, and has been selected for its combination of its well known Mistral wind and warm Mediterranean waters, making perfect sailing conditions.

'Hyères won the final selection thanks to the town's great experience in holding sailing events, and the quality of the sailing area. The French iShares Cup 2008 venue will be very exciting with windy and sunny conditions that will make the races exceptional," explains Gilles Chiorri, OC Events Director.

Hyères is home to the massive annual French Olympic Sailing Week, as well as a host of other top quality yachting events - this year the town will welcome the finale of the Tour de France a la Voile, a multi-stage yacht race.

Organisers OC Events have also welcomed Musto to the circuit as Official Clothing Supplier.

Nigel Musto commented on the announcement: "This classic Mediterranean location [Hyeres] is perfect to demonstrate the performance of our latest MPX Race range. The high temperatures, coupled with the demands made on the crew by high activity racing action on the Extreme 40 cats puts a premium on fully effective, breathable clothing. It's a technical field in which we excel."

The 2008 iShares Cup kicks off in the mountain city of Lugano, racing on the beautiful lake on the Swiss-Italian border over 30 May-1 June, before moving on to the French leg of the circuit at Hyères. It then heads to Britain on 2-4 August to race during Skandia Cowes Week - one of the biggest regattas in the world, held on the Solent. The fourth event on the circuit will be held in Germany from 29-31 August, before the iShares Cup concludes in Amsterdam as the Extreme 40s return to the scene of last year's dramatic finale, racing right in the centre of the Dutch city over 19-21 September.