America's Cup- Too much what? A look at shore-side Cup activities

by Jean Philippe Jobé on 11 Feb 2010
Sail-World's correspondent JPJ reports on shoreside activities on Race Day 2 in Valencia:

We started the day early at dawn to be at the Alinghi base and see the Swiss cat off; we mingled with the Swiss supporters. A group of them brought with them their flags and also some traditional cow bells! It is the way they wanted to wish the team good luck.

We took the opportunity to ask them what they thought about the way the AC was taking lately. Obviously they are hard core fans and support their team but they did acknowledge that the latest attitudes by both team leaders were not always understood and in fact they stated that all that was not helping our sport.

They patiently waited the whole morning until it was clear that no race would take place and then march off at the sound of the bells. We also heard Nils Frei, one of the Swiss member of the sailing team since year 2000, telling us that they were well prepared, ready to race and basically anxious to show what they can do.

Later on we just went around the main area were part of the public was situated, at that time everybody was enjoying the sunshine and a few beers. Further away, some of the locals were surfing on those big waves that seemed to frighten the Race Committee. On the horizon, too far to be of real notice was the BOR wing hiding behind the commercial port's cranes.