The Louis Vuitton Trophy looks set to leave its controversial birth behind as it charts a course through a succession of four more regattas that bring the series into its own, on the eve of the Trophy’s second stage in Auckland that runs March 7-21.

Louis Vuitton has announced plans to inaugurate a new World Series of sailing, beginning with a regatta in Nice in November.

The Louis Vuitton World Series has been created while the America’s Cup is locked in the protracted court battle between Oracle and Alinghi.

The event will be undertaken in association with a new professional sailing group called the World Sailing Team Association (WSTA).