The Protocol for the 33rd America’s Cup was revealed on Thursday afternoon, detailing the broad outlines of the next event. Among the highlights was the introduction of a new class of boat, to be 90 feet in length overall, sailed by a crew of around 20 sailors. The final design rule for the new class will be issued on or before 31 December 2007.

The Challenger of Record is the Club Náutico Español de Vela which has agreed on the Protocol for the 33rd America’s Cup with the Defending Yacht Club, the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG).

The Protocol was announced at a press conference in Port America’s Cup on Thursday at noon, by Michel Bonnefous, the CEO of the event organisers, Brad Butterworth, the skipper of the winning Alinghi team, and Hamish Ross, General Counsel of Alinghi.

Prime Minister Helen Clark described the defeated Team New Zealand sailors as heroes Wednesday and vowed her government would support another kiwi challenge in the next Americas Cup.

A thrilling one-second victory by Alinghi ensured a 5-2 victory for the Swiss challenge in Valencia Tuesday. Alinghi became only the fourth defender in the 156-year history of the cup to retain the Auld Mug.

Rally WRC :

Norway - 15-18/2
Rally Norway - [3/16]

Grand Prix F1:

Australia - 15-18/03
Melbourne GP - [1/17]

Moto GP :

Qatar - 08-10/03
Losail GP - [1/18]

Rally-Raid :

Tunisia - 30/03-8/04
Tunisia - [1/7]