Allianz Cup starts tomorrow Wednesday in San Fransisco

What — Allianz Cup Presented by Oracle, Stage 5 of the 2006-’07 World Tour
Where — San Francisco, USA
When — Oct. 25-29, 2006
Organizing Authority — World Match Racing Tour
Prize Purse — $100,000 (First place, $25,000)
Boat — J/105 (33 feet long)
Racing Area — San Francisco Bay
Who’s Entered — 16 teams including the reigning World match-race champion, seven skippers in the top eight of the World Championship, eight crews from America’s Cup syndicates, eight of the top 10 in the ISAF Open Match Race Rankings.

ENTRY LIST
Ben Ainslie Emirates Team New Zealand — Placed 3rd at Brazil Sailing Cup in March
Brian Angel King Harbor Match Race — Winner Nations Cup North American Final
Ed Baird Alinghi — Tied for 8th in World Championship standings
Jesper Bank United Internet Team Germany — Tied for 8th in World Championship standings
Johnie Berntsson Berntsson Sailing Team — Won ACI Cup in May
Paolo Cian Team Viano Mercedes Benz — Tied for 5th in World Championship standings
Chris Dickson BMW ORACLE Racing — Tied for 5th in World Championship standings
Cameron Dunn Mascalzone Latino — Capitalia Team – Placed 4th at Toscana Elba Cup in July
Larry Ellison BMW ORACLE Racing — Founder of BMW ORACLE Racing Team
Peter Gilmour PST — Reigning match racing world champion and World Tour champion
Björn Hansen Team Apport.net — Placed 6th at Bermuda Gold Cup two weeks ago
Peter Holmberg Alinghi — Placed 6th at St. Moritz Match Race in July
Staffan Lindberg Alandia Sailing Team — Ranked 7th in World Championship standings
Chris Perkins — Local qualifier from St. Francis Yacht Club
Mathieu Richard Saba Sailing Team — Ranked 2nd in World Championship standings
Ian Williams Team Pindar — Ranked 1st in World Championship standings

Video copyright: Sportshows Television/Narrowstep Ltd / Allianz Cup

Paolo Cian (left) and Staffan Lindberg practice in J/105s for the Allianz Cup Presented by Oracle. (Allianz Cup/Bob Grieser photo)