American Marconi Wireless News - Britain select Swiss as Louis Vuitton Cup semi opponents

Italy's Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli face New York Yacht Club American Magic in the other semi-final first-to-five clash.

The eventual winner of the competition will face double defending champions New Zealand in the 37th America's Cup in October.

"Every team has their strengths and weaknesses, especially in different conditions, so the forecast for the semi-final period was a really important factor in our decision," said Britannia skipper Ben Ainslie.

The British team topped the challenger standings in the round-robin phase of the Louis Vuitton Cup which allowed them to select their opponent.

They beat Alinghi twice and the Swiss team finished fifth, only ahead of the eliminated French.

"We think Alinghi will be a good test and give us a good chance to keep learning, developing and progressing through the competition," continued Ainslie.

"Obviously it's a great position to be in, coming top of the round robins and choosing our opponent in the semis, but we're not getting ahead of ourselves."

New Zealand are aiming to become the first nation to lift the America's Cup trophy three times in a row since the United States in 1987, 1988 and 1992.

The America's Cup is international sport's oldest competition, starting in 1851 with a race around the Isle of Wight, but Britain have never won the trophy.

H.E.Young--AMWN