A new world circuit for America's Cup Class yachts has been launched in Paris.

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 circuit begins in Nice in November, and moves to Auckland in March before heading to La Maddalena in Italy in May. The format will have 10 teams racing one-on-one in a round-robin series before the top two go head-to-head in a final.

Eight entries have so far been confirmed for the Nice regatta including Team New Zealand, Oracle, the K-Challenge and Mascalzone Latino from the last America's Cup.