AUCKLAND, New Zealand -- The America's Cup will arrive Saturday in Switzerland, making its return to Europe after an absence of 152 years.

Cup winners Alinghi, carrying the trophy aboard a charter flight from Auckland, will land at Geneva airport in the early afternoon and will be met by federal, regional and municipal dignitaries.

A public celebration of Alinghi's victory in the world's premier sailing competition will be held in the evening in downtown Geneva, Alinghi syndicate spokesman Bernard Schopfer said Wednesday.

The Cup leaves Auckland on Friday afternoon, ending an eight-year stay in New Zealand.

Team New Zealand won the trophy from the United States in San Diego in 1995 and successfully defended it in 2000.

The Swiss team of flamboyant pharmaceuticals billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli on Sunday completed a humiliating 5-0 beating of Team New Zealand in the best-of-nine series.