AYRE enters as 7th America's Cup Challenger

by ValenciaSailing.com on 21 Nov 2007
The new Spanish syndicate Ayre Challenge was officially declared today Tuesday as challenger for the 33rd America’s Cup.

Ayre represents the Real Club Náutico de Dénia (Royal Yacht Club of Denia) and thus becomes the seventh official challenger for the next edition of the world’s oldest sports competition.

Present during the official entry signature were the General Manager of Ayre, Pedro Perelló, and the President of the Real Club Náutico de Dénia, Manuel González Devesa.

Pedro Perelló stated that 'Ayre was already a reality, but with the official entry we have now become a fully-fledged challenger'. The team finally chose to represent the Real Club Náutico de Dénia, mainly because 'the 33rd America’s Cup will take place in Valencia and Dénia is one of the most important yacht clubs of the Valencian Region'.

AYRE officially becomes the 7th challenger of the 33rd America's Cup. From left to right, Manuel Gonzalez Devesa (president of the Real Club Náutico de Denia), Michel Hodara (CEO of America's Cup Management) and Pedro Perelló (General Manager of AYRE). Valencia, 20 November 2007. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / AYRE

Ayre’s head commented that 'an association of reputed yacht clubs will be formed, linked to the syndicate and headed by the Club de Mar of Mallorca. They will be represented by Ayre and will spread this important project throughout Spain. There is an ambitious sports, social and cultural program that we will develop and we count on the most competent and enterprising yacht clubs in order to carry it out'.

The Real Club Náutico de Dénia is the biggest yacht club in the province of Alicante and one of the most active throughout Spain. This year marks the 40th anniversary since the club’s foundation. It organizes annual regattas such as the Diana de Oro (36 editions), Ruta de la Sal, la Copa del Canal, Dénia Vela a 2 y solitarios as well as a number of important regattas both on a national and international level. In 2007 it organized, amongst others, the 29er EuroCup, the Spanish Championships of the Platú 25 and Europe classes, the Dénia Vela Ligera-Campeonato Autonómico de Vela Ligera as well as the Regional Optimist Team Championships. Other important events it organized during its 40 years of existence are the World Musto Skiff Championships (2004), the World Team Racing Championships (2002), the ¾ Ton World Championships (1982) or the 470 European Championships (1979).

In addition to Sailing, the club comprises sections of Rowing, Fishing, Canoe, Diving and Swimming.