Port America's Cup prepares

As from Saturday 6th February the AC Park for the 33rd America’s Cup opens to the public in the Port America’s Cup in Valencia. Between the hours of 1000hrs and 1800hrs visitors will be able to enjoy all of the magnificent facilities and activities which are on offer during the second edition of this historic sporting trophy, the oldest in the world, to be hosted by the Spanish city.

Central to the activities is the landmark Veles e Ventes building. Many of the 33rd America’s Cup activities will take place within this signature building designed by English architect David Chipperfield.

On the main ground floor is the Mar del Bambú restaurant, on the first floor is the main information point, the Estrella Damm Club, a tapas bar, the team bars: Defender Bar and a Challenger Bar and El Corte Inglés shop selling all the official event merchandise.
On the fourth floor is the Quique Dacosta Gastro-Bar. Access to all these areas is free.

Around the exterior of the Veles e Vents you have many options for eating and drinking: the Paella restaurant, the Arribar, Casa Guillermo, the Mist, the 39º27N, the Azul and the Brisa (all found on the map). There is a large chill out area with a giant screen to watch the action live from the race course, as well as a large kindergarden to keep the kids entertained.

The organization has planned a comprehensive programme including concerts, visits for school pupils, videos as well as the highlights of the racing and highlights of the America’s Cup racing. There are many options to enjoy the action and what is on offer at Port America’s Cup between 6th and 14th February. If racing extends longer then the village will stay open longer.

A normal racing day (as scheduled Monday 8th, Wednesday 10th, Friday 12th) is from 0900hrs to 2000hrs. During the other, non-racing days the Park is open between 1000hrs and 1800hrs.

At last!!!

The official website of the 33rd America’s Cup is now accessible at www.americascup.com.

Context, Actors, Venue and Regatta : in 4 sections, www.americascup.com set itself the mission to allow you to follow the 33rd America’s Cup with the same levels of excitement and intensity, reflecting what happens on the race areas during this exceptional event.

America's Cup 2010

The biggest event in competitive yachting, the America’s Cup, comes to the unexpected waters of Ras Al Khaimah next February.

Swiss holders Alinghi and US challenger Oracle will duel for honours in an event that will doubtless alter the face of tourism in a part of the world with sailing traditions of great vintage.

The regatta, which predates the modern Olympics by nearly half-a-century, is both a test of sailing skill and yacht design, encouraging nations to invest equal pride and money.

“Ras Al Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates, will be the host for the 33rd America’s Cup,” Fred Meyer, vice-commodore of the Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), said in a team statement on the official America’s Cup website on Wednesday.

By tradition, the holder of the America’s Cup gets to choose the venue. Team Alinghi, which guided a supremely swift catamaran to victory in the 2007 edition of the cup in Valencia, Spain, sails under the SNG burgee.

“This is a venue that offers perfect weather and great sailing conditions in February,” Meyer said of open seas beyond the Al Hamra lagoon where the races will be held. “The country has experience in organising first-class sporting events such as ATP tennis, PGA golf and Formula One.”

“This area has a history of sailing,” Dubai-based sailor Phil Blake said. “If you’ve ever seen a fleet of dhows, it’s a magical sight. But this is the opposite end of the spectrum ... the America’s Cup boats ... they’re designed to the cutting edge of engineering.”

Shaikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, was quoted by the official website as saying, “It is a reflection on what we have achieved in terms of becoming the destination for tourists and trade and industry and is a reflection of our integration with the world at large.”

The tourism industry in Ras Al Khaimah is excited. “It will showcase the natural geography plus the charm and culture of the emirate,” Hilary Mc Cormack of RAK Tourism told
Khaleej Times on Wednesday. “We do expect to welcome thousands.”

Source: Khaleej Times - August 2009