Allianz, one of the largest and most renowned financial services providers in the world, have signed as title sponsor of the World Match Racing Tour event in San Francisco.

The Allianz Cup marks the only US stop on the Tour, giving the American public the only chance to see America’s Cup crews match racing in US waters before the start of the 2007 Louis Vuitton Cup Challenger Selection Series for the 32nd America’s Cup.

The event, supported by Allianz US companies Fireman’s Fund and AZ Life along with presenting partner Oracle, brings together an international network of strong brands and first-class products, promising to make this event of global interest in both the world of sailing and international business.

Taking place from October 24-29 at the historic St Francis Yacht Club on San Francisco Bay, the Allianz Cup will see 10 of the 12 America’s Cup teams compete in J/105s.

Commenting Chris Dickson said: “With an impressive line-up of America’s Cup skippers, we can expect some tough racing on San Francisco Bay at the Allianz Cup. We last raced in San Francisco three years ago at the Moet Cup and experienced great conditions and a terrific turnout of sailing fans along the foreshore of the Bay to watch the racing. It will be great to race in the US against top America’s Cup crews only several months out from the start of the Louis Vuitton Cup.”

The Allianz Cup will involve two groups of eight teams competiting in round-robin races followed by quarterfinal, semifinal and final rounds with the inaugural Allianz Cup champion being crowned on Sunday 29 October.