Images from the iShares Cup 2009 launch in Paris

Images from photographer Thierry Martinez of the iShares Cup 2009 launch in Paris. ThMartinez/Sea&Co - www.thmartinez.com

The skippers in attendance were Nick Moloney (BT), Mike Golding (Ecover), Yann Guichard (Gitana Extreme - Groupe LCF Rothschild), Franck Cammas (Groupama), Loick Peyron (Oman Sail's Renaissance), Carolijn Brouwer (Holmatro), Shirley Robertson (iShares), Erik Maris (LUNA), Pete Cumming (Oman Sail's Masirah) and John Kostecki, representing skipper James Spithill, from BMW Oracle Racing.

The award-winning iShares Cup pan-European series will visit six major European destinations this season in Italy, France, UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain between May and October. Each regatta is made of up three days of competition with a media day held on the preceding day of each event. Up to 24 short and adrenalin-pumping races can be staged at each round, each race lasting just 15-20 minutes. www.isharescup.com

Extreme 40 'iShares' (EUR) - Shirley Robertson (GBR) at the helm ( double olympic gold medalist) sail on the Seine river, at the official launch of iShares Cup in Paris. - iShares Cup 2009 launch in Paris - ThMartinez_- Sea & Co &copy

Skippers at Eiffel tower with iShares Cup trophy. From left : BMW ORACLE Racing (USA) ? John Kostecki (USA), BT (EUR) - Nick Moloney (AUS), Oman Sails Renaissance (OMA) - Loick Peyron (FRA), Holmatro (NED) - Carolijn Brouwer (BEL), Gitana Extreme - Groupe LCF Rothschild (FRA) - Yann Guichard (FRA), iShares (EUR) - Shirley Robertson (GBR), Oman Sails Masirah (OMA) - Pete Cumming - ThMartinez_- Sea & Co &copy

iShares Cup 2009 launch in Paris - ThMartinez_- Sea & Co &copy

iShares (EUR) - Shirley Robertson (GBR) sailing on Seine river. - iShares Cup 2009 launch in Paris - ThMartinez_- Sea & Co &copy

09_07124 ?ThMartinez/Sea&Co / OC Events / iShares Cup. PARIS - FRANCE , iShares Cup, Official Launch, Paris, 5 May 2009.
Groupama 40 (FRA) - Franck Cammas (FRA) sailing on Seine river. - iShares Cup 2009 launch in Paris - ThMartinez_- Sea & Co &copy