Valencia loses out on hosting the next America's Cup

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Valencia, Moraira, Alicante and Torrevieja harbours have been dealt a cruel blow as the Société Nautique de Genève, have announced that the venue for the 33rd America's Cup in February 2010, shall not be Valencia, but Ras al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates! Having won the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 in Valencia with its yacht racing team, Alinghi, the SNG is granted the right to choose the venue for the next America's Cup, which is scheduled to start on 8 February 2010. Valencia held high hopes and expectations that the city would again be host but due to the legal battle put forward by the Golden Gate Yacht Club and BMW Oracle, the date is now February and not May 2010, and so the province has lost out.

Fred Meyer, Vice-Commodore of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) said "This is a venue that offers perfect weather and great sailing conditions for a Match in February; the authorities have shown tremendous interest in, and support for hosting the America's Cup. They will make a purpose-built island available at the Al Hamra Village in Ras al-Khaimah to provide the America's Cup teams, sponsors and fans with an outstanding venue."

"We looked everywhere for a venue that suited having good racing for the Match dates in February. We had trained in the UAE in the winter with Alinghi before and in the end we settled on Ras al-Khaimah in particular because of the infrastructure in Al Hamra Village and because it has a great building sea breeze during the day, similar to Mediterranean conditions in the summer, making it good for these boats and safe for all concerned."

Had the GGYC not tried to ‘win' the America's Cup through the American Law courts instead of on the water, then in all likelihood, the event would have returned to Valencia for a Summer racing series. However, their court actions have forced the holders of the dead into running a winter series. When asked if the negative publicity of being associated with trying to win the cup though the courts and not in a fair race, BMW, have only said that someone from their PR department would be in touch, however 90-days after asking, they have not!

Maybe those living on the Costa Blanca will think twice about purchasing a new BMW, as in part, BMW's sponsorship money, has driven the series away from Valencia, along with millions of tourists, investments and a much needed boost to the economy.

News story by Keith Nicol mcij (Tel: (+34) 609 06 36 14)

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