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).

Singapore was crowned Asia’s Maritime Capital at the fifth edition of the Asia Boating Awards, held at the prestigious Le Royal Meridien Hotel in Shanghai.

This is the second time the Lion City has been awarded the sought-after accolade – last year’s prize went to Qingdao, China.

The award recognises the tremendous effort that has been put into turning that city into a sailing and boating hub.