Valencia to host 2009 America's Cup pre-regattas - first set for July

by Alinghi Media on 2 Apr 2009
The 33rd America's Cup event authority, AC Management, today signed a Host Venue agreement with the Valencian Municipality and Regional Government for the Spanish city of Valencia to hold two America's Cup pre-regattas, the first from the 10-19 July and the second in October.

Should the pending litigation concerning the future of the 33rd America's Cup be resolved in favour of the multi-challenger event as proposed by the Defender, Alinghi and the Challenger of Record, Club Náutico Español de Vela, these two regattas will be part of the 33rd America's Cup, with the Match scheduled for 2010.

The Defender and the Challengers will meet off Malvarrosa Beach with the ACC Version 5.0 yachts in just three months time for a combination of fleet and match racing much like the highly successful Acts held in the lead up to the 32nd America's Cup.

ACM representative, Lucien Masmejan, commented on the announcement: 'Valencia hosted one of the best events in the history of the America's Cup last time round and we have every confidence in them doing it again. We are really looking forward to getting on with some America's Cup racing, and I know I echo the desire of all of the teams.'

Rita Barberá, Mayor of Valencia, was delighted: 'I think it is a great agreement, an agreement of hope, pride and excitement.' She added: 'My will is to host the 33rd America's Cup and the pre-regattas in Valencia because if we study the return and the impact of the 32nd America's Cup on the region, we see that the economic data is very positive – not only for the international exposure of the city but also for the economic benefit on the Valencian economy.'

The announcement today of AC Management’s agreement with Valencian authorities to host the 33rd America’s Cup pre-regattas this year was welcomed by the America’s Cup Defender, Alinghi. 'This is really good news,' said Brad Butterworth, Alinghi team skipper. 'The team is looking forward to getting back on the water and racing the challengers again.'

The first pre-regatta is 10-19 July and the second will be in October of this year. Should the pending litigation concerning the future of the 33rd America’s Cup be resolved in favour of the multi-challenger event as proposed by the Defender, Alinghi and the Challenger of Record, Club Náutico Español de Vela, these two regattas will be part of the 33rd America’s Cup, with the Match scheduled for 2010.

Competitor Meeting

Alinghi and Club Náutico Español de Vela held the sixth Competitor Meeting yesterday in Valencia with the entered teams and discussions centered on base allocation and plans for Version 5.0 yacht allocation during the two 33rd America's Cup pre-regattas, the first of which begins on 10 July in Valencia. The group of teams, having worked on the document for the past months, decided to publish the Competition Regulations for the 33rd America's Cup this week.

The next 33rd America's Cup Competitor Meeting is on 28 April.