Ready for Battle!

The Final of the Louis Vuitton Cup begins on Friday, with Emirates Team New Zealand pitched against Italy's Luna Rossa Challenge. The winner of the 'first to five' Final will win the Louis Vuitton Cup and advance to the America's Cup Match against Alinghi. On Thursday, the teams had a final day of preparation and afterguard members Terry Hutchinson (ETNZ) and Andy Horton (Luna Rossa Challenge) met the media at the opening press conference. Luna Rossa Challenge won the coin toss, and will start Friday's race as the 'yellow' boat with starboard tack entry to the start box. The teams will alternate starboard entry each successive race. Both teams will compete with the same boats they used in the Semi Finals. Luna Rossa Challenge will race ITA 94, and Emirates Team New Zealand will sail NZL 92. The teams are expecting close racing. The weather forecast is calling for sea breeze condition over the next few days, with winds from nine to 14 knots. Racing is scheduled to start at 15:00, with the first warning signal at 14:50.