Louis Vuitton Act, Valencia: LA7 launches the “Forza Sette” show,
June 16-26, broadcast every night at 00:30 a.m.
Live race coverage on http://www.rossoalice.it/ including 3D simulation
The America’s Cup on TIM cellphones via the “Mobile TV” service
LA7, the Telecom Italia Media Group TV channel, raises the curtain on the America’s Cup in its exclusive Italian coverage of the competition, which runs from the Louis Vuitton Act in Valencia right up to the finals in the summer of 2007.
The network’s 240 hours’ live coverage and highlights, special features and behind-the-scenes insight starts tomorrow with Forza Sette, a nightly show that will be covering the first three races, the 2005 Acts, from June 16-26, at half-past midnight.
Forza Sette will be covering all of the thrills and spills and the behind-the-scenes excitement of the Valencia races, including race commentary, interviews and expert analysis. Presenter Paolo Cecinelli is joined in the studio by Luca Bontempelli, one of Italy’s top sailing experts, and special guest Massimo D’Alema, an expert yachtsman and great fan of the sport.
Forza Sette will be repeated at 4 p.m. from June 17. The show will continue to provide updates, debates and in-depth features on non-race days.
As well as Forza Sette, magazine show Alla Conquista della Coppa airs at 11 a.m. on Saturday 18, Sunday 19, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June, giving sailing fans a further opportunity to find out more about the stars of the America’s Cup and learn about the history of the world’s top yachting competition.
LA7’s strong interest in the America’s Cup mirrors the Telecom Italia Group’s direct participation in the competition as a partner of Prada’s in the Luna Rossa Challenge 2007 consortium. LA7 is one of the world’s first broadcasters to start America’s Cup coverage, along with competition host Spain; many TV stations around the world only begin their America’s Cup coverage in the later stages.
LA7 will be bringing its hallmark attention to detail and technical expertise to its coverage, including use of its virtual eye technology, a digital simulation system that aids in-depth understanding of yacht manoeuvres and strategies. This high tech system relies on a number of special cameras strategically placed on the race yachts themselves (without getting in the way of the crews), linked up to a satellite system.
In 2007 LA7 goes into the heat of the competition and steps up its yacht race programming further still. After the fleet races on April 2-7, the network will be covering the Louis Vuitton Cup (April 18-June 12) and then the America’s Cup proper (June 23-July 4).
LA7 will be broadcasting a live two-hour afternoon show on all 56 days of the Louis Vuitton Cup races and on each of the 12 days of the America’s Cup final, plus nightly highlights of the day’s action, interviews and behind-the-scenes coverage.
Race coverage live on Rosso Alice
The America’s Cup makes its exclusive Internet debut with the first match races tomorrow in Valencia, on a special sports section accessible via the Rosso Alice Sports channel (http://www.rossoalice.it/) wholly dedicated to the 32nd America’s Cup.
Thanks to technology partner Alcatel, websurfers can follow all of the America’s Cup Acts live on Rosso Alice. The technology uses GPS systems installed on the yachts to provide a birds-eye view of the whole race, and the courses plotted by each team are mapped out.
Websurfers can choose which race they want to watch live, using advanced digital technologies developed by Alcatel. All competing yachts are perfectly reproduced in high-definition 3D images that are updated to reflect changes to the spanker sail position and major sail changes from a number of different angles. Race strategies will also be revealed immediately prior to race start time.
At any time, viewers can compare each vessel’s position with the ideal route to the buoy, for a birds-eye view of how the race is proceeding. Real-time text updates provide a running commentary on all major race developments.
News and highlights on TIM mobile phones
Sailing fans who want to stay in touch with the latest America’s Cup developments while on the move can tune in to LA7’s coverage on their TIM mobile phones. The Mobile TV service will be offering sailing fans daily five-minute Video News highlights on the 4444 Video Portal. TIM cellphone users may also access highlights and download match race footage, interviews with leading yachtsmen and WAP services.
Milan, June 15, 2005