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 as
its challenger will take place starting in June 2007.
