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Valencia, Spain to host 2007 America's Cup!
Valencia will host the 2007 America's Cup, organizers said in Geneva, making the Spanish port the first European venue since 1851 for sailing's oldest tournament.
Valencia, on Spain's eastern coast, was chosen for its tourism infrastructure and because steady summer breezes guarantee start times for the 32nd edition of the race, said Marc Pajot, a skipper at four America's Cups.
It is the first time the event has been held off mainland Europe in its 152-year history because none of the European challengers had been successful to win hosting rights until this year's stunning triumph by a Swiss boat.
The 2007 race is expected to broaden the race's appeal yet further after being dominated by American and Australasian vessels.
Valencia, Spain's third largest city, is surrounded by some of the most popular holiday resorts in Europe and the prospect of drawing huge crowds for what has often been seen as an elitist sport clearly weighed heavily in the selection.
The other three cities in the running at the final stage of the bidding for the 32nd America's Cup competition were Portugal's Cascais, France's Marseilles and Naples in Italy.
International yachtsman Jochen Schuemann, a senior member of the Alinghi squad, said Valencia was a good choice because the western Mediterranean could rely on good, steady winds during the summer months.
The fact that racing could be held up and down the coast meant the yachts would be in view of spectators along the shore for much longer than had often been the case in the past.
Lack of wind played havoc with the racing off Auckland, with 15 days being lost because of poor weather conditions. But in Valencia, on average only one day is wasted during the summer months because of insufficient wind, organizers said.
The final head-to-head races between Alinghi and whoever emerges at its challenger will take place starting in June 2007.
Paul T. Rivard,
America's Cup News
26th November, 2003
Information courtesy of Bloomberg News and Reuters
