Swiss syndicate Alinghi makes it official, picks Valencia to host 2009 America's Cup defense

VALENCIA, Spain (AP) -Swiss syndicate Alinghi made it official, announcing Wednesday as expected that it will defend its Auld Mug trophy in Valencia, where it won one of the most dramatic finals in the event's history.
Alinghi beat Emirates Team New Zealand 5-2 in the 32nd edition of sport's oldest competition, which ended July 3. The Swiss team picked Valencia to host the Cup this year after beating the Kiwis 5-0 in 2003 to return the Cup to Europe for the first time since the inaugural race in 1851.
Also Wednesday, Alinghi owner and biotech billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli announced Team New Zealand as the fourth challenger accepted for the next race - after South Africa's Shosholoza, Team Origin of Britain and "challenger of record'' Desafio Espanol from Spain.