AMERICA's CUP 33 - What's it like on the ground in Valencia?

The Stars and Stripes at BMW Oracle

The Multihull and its amazing wing, longer than a jumbo jet wing.


Let's face it - it is turning out to be the biggest non-event of the year.
Battle of the Giants? Giants these boats may be but they seem just a little too delicate for the job in hand - my sailing friends tell me - assure - me that a normal America's Cup yacht would have loved the conditions on Valencia's waters these past few days.
The Press room has been teaming with press from over 37 countries - over 900 of them all waiting with bated breath for what has been billed as the race to beat all races - and there is some urgency for many of them as they will have to leave for Canada to report on the winter Olympics which start this weekend. Who is going to care (apart from the protagonists and their yacht clubs) once the Winter Olympics get under way?
For those spectators who have made the effort to make it to Valencia for this AC33 will also be deeply disappointed that they won't even be able to see the BMW Oracle boat in the flesh, the construction of the 'wing' means that it is too dangerous to bring the boat into the Marina, so it is moored out in the commercial port and, unless you are invited as friends and family or press there is just no way to see it up close. (if the visibility is good and there is no crane in the way, you can just see the huge wing in the far distance) I have been lucky enough to see it in the flesh - a very early start to see the docking out ceremony - (more of which later) and it is stunning- huge and stunning.
Which brings us on to the racing - that too will take place (if it ever happens) miles out to sea. 20 miles or so - that is a very long way from shore (think Dover to Calais) and too far away to see with the naked eye, so you can really only watch the races on television or on the internet. There is a giant screen at the AC Park with a few scattered loungers around to watch from - but there are fewer and fewer spectators each day and so any atmosphere there was is less and less tangible. The highlight so far has been the incredible Mascletà at the opening ceremony. But if you are not a fan of noise and daytime fireworks and just want to watch good sailng, you won't have been impressed.
The AC Park has been spruced a bit but they were still fixing broken decking on the Veles e Vents building on the Monday, when racing should have already started. Though there is a bar open there are empty shops. There are a few stalls acting as tapas, burger, fondue and paella bars, and they are not bad value. The general consensus on the souvenir shops is that they are far too expensive, much more so than the previous America's Cup Merchandise.
It is fascinating to watch the press conferences (you can watch them online on the teams websites) and here them talking about how great the races will be - the question is - when.
Timothy Birch
Photos ©2010 Thisisvalencia.com/Timothy Birch/Mike Adams

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICA'S CUP 33

Q1- How do I get there?
Metro TO NEPTUNO, tramvia TO DR LLUCH or bus TO AVENIDA DEL PUERTO
Q2 - What time and what day and is admission free.
The Port opens each day at 9am and admission is free
Q3 - What are the Teams/Countries and how many boats? how long will a race last?
The America's Cup 33 is a Deed of Gift match (read Mike O'Neill's explanation here. It is a best of three races, two boat race between Alinghi, the defender , and BMWOracle, though some would say it is a battle between owners Bertarelli and Ellison. Each race can last up to 7 hours.
Q4 - Can you watch from boats in the sea? Can I watch from home?
The organisers are strongly advising not to try and watch from sea, the course is between 20 and 40 miles out (it is a long way out - think Dover to Calais - which is around 20 miles and takes an hour and a half on a fast ferry!) It is also jolly cold out there at this time of year - the wind chill is around 5 degrees lower than on shore. Not least is the shear size and speed of these multihulls - keep away from them. You can easily watch from the shore on giant screens or from home, for the first time the races are being broadcast live on the internet on americascup.com site and there are daily broadcasts on both alinghi.com and bmworacleracing.com - we'll be blogging on thisisvalencia.blogspot.com and tweeting twitter.com/gooruvlc
Q5 - Can you see from the beach/port?
Great to see them leave and return - the atmosphere promises to be electric - and then watch with the crowds on the big screens.
Q6 - What's Happening in the Marina?
All sorts of activities, food, souvenir shops, children's activities, concerts (free) each evening
Q7 - Is there Catering - Can I eat and drink?
There is the cuisine of Switzerland, The USA and Spain. On the opening day there will be Raclette, Paella and Burgers with all proceeds going to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti
Q8 - Is there shopping/souvenirs.
But of course! Sail gear, and all kinds of AC33 souvenirs.

America's Cup 33 News - Here is the Full Agenda

Saturday 6 February
10 am-6 pm AC Park open each day from today(America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
Food and drink outlets specialising in Swiss, American, Spanish and Valencian items. Official merchandise
outlets. Information points. Giant screen. Chill-out zone.
Sunday 7 February
10 am-6 pm AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
Programme of children’s activities in the children’s playground. Selection of shows for all ages. Special team show with fans for the audience.
1 pm
Opening Ceremony for the 33rd America’s Cup (America’s Cup Port)
Including a spectacular Mascletá firecracker display.
2 pm
“A Grain for Haiti” (America’s Cup Port)
Sales of Valencian paella, Swiss raclette and American hamburgers,
with the proceeds going to help earthquake victims in Haiti.
Monday 8 February
FIRST RACE
9 am-8 pm
AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
Food and drink outlets specialising in Swiss, American, Spanish and Valencian items. Official merchandise
outlets. Information points. Programme of children’s activities in the children’s playground. Giant screen. Chill-out zone.
Selection of shows for all ages. Special team show with fans for the audience.
9:30 am-12:30 pm
Children’s Day (School visits)
Neptune’s Welcome, learning about the regatta, training games and drinking chocolate.
9:45 am
Race shown live (AC Park Giant screen)
10 am
Starting pistol for Race 1 (Regatta Course)
7 pm
Free Concert (AC Park Stage)
Sedajazz (Soul and Jazz)
Tuesday 9 February
10 am-6 pm
AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
Food and drink outlets specialising in Swiss, American, Spanish and Valencian items. Official merchandise
outlets. Information points. Giant screen showing the 33rd America’s Cup. Chill-out zone. Programme of children’s activities in the children’s playground. Selection
of shows for all ages.
Wednesday 10 February
SECOND RACE
9 am-8 pm
AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
9:45am
Race shown live (AC Park Giant screen)
10 am
Starting pistol for Race 2 (Regatta Course)
7 pm
Free Concert (AC Park Stage)
Zenttric (Spanish/Valencian pop)
Thursday 11 February
10 am-6 pm
AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
Friday 12 February
THIRD RACE (if necessary)
9 am-8 pm
AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)
9:45am
Race shown live (AC Park Giant screen)
10 am
Race 3 (Regatta Course)
7 pm
Free Concert (AC Park Stage)
Polock (Spanish/Valencian pop & rock)
Saturday 13 and Sunday
14 February
10 am-6 pm
AC Park open (America’s Cup Port next to Veles i Vents building)

America's Cup 33 - it all started today with the press conferences.

Both Alinghi and BMWOracle held their Press conferences tonight - Bertorelli and Ellison - It's a head to head! More her soon!

A view at sunset of Marina Juan Carlos 1 in Valencia, setting for the 33rd America's Cup

photo ©2010 Diana Birch/thisisvalencia.com

America's Cup 33 News - Official Timetable and Opening events

33rd America's Cup Official Program
Sunday 7 February from 10 am: Opening Event
Monday 8 February from 10 am: First Race
Wednesday 10 February from 10 am: Second Race
Friday 12 February: Third Race (if required)
14 - 25 February: Reserve days

05 February
Estrella Dam AC 33 Opening Party
doors open 1900h
Tinglado 2, Marina Juan Carlos I. Entry is free
Los Planetas
Nacho Vegas
La Habitiacion Roja

Photos
Alinghi
©2010 George Johns/Alinghi
BMWOracle
©2010 Gilles Martin-Raget

the 33rd America's Cup - Let me try to explain.........

The 33rd America’s Cup match has been delayed so many times, it is hard for the serious players, let alone the spectator to understand the latest reasons. So let me try to explain:

A. Alinghi 5 has sails which were produced on a mould in America, then shipped to Switzerland to be glued together and finished.

B. GGYC says the whole boat, including sails, must be ‘constructed’ in the country of origin, eg Switzerland, and has taken the matter to court.

C. SNG say that, if Alinghi 5’s sails are banned, Alinghi will forfeit the series rather than race and then find they are disqualified.

"We have been clear: If BMW Oracle succeeds in disqualifying the Defender's sails then there will be no Match," Meyer said. "Russell Coutts [BMW Oracle skipper] will have won the America's Cup for Larry Ellison without sailing."

D. Everything else is just ‘smoke and mirrors’. No other legal issues are involved.

So why have BMW Oracle raised the question of sails when they know that American-made sails were used by almost all teams in the 32nd AC event without any complaint or protest. Why has it become such an issue now?

Tom Ehman of GGYC says: ....... the 33rd Match is not a normal regatta. It is not even a normal America’s Cup. It is a “Deed of Gift match” in which the clear wording of the Cup’s ruling document must be adhered to by both teams.

This statement suggests that, in previous Cup events, the use of American sails was a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ between all the teams involved. Given the bad blood that exists between these two teams, it is clear that agreement or compromise is simply not possible at this late stage. It is also nearly certain that the Supreme Court will not rule on this case until after the series has begun.

Unless someone ‘blinks first’, racing will go ahead on February 8th, weather permitting. What happens after the ‘grudge match’ has been settled, and one team has ‘won’ the America’s Cup? It seems quite likely that the whole show will end up back in court. Why?, because the two teams have failed to reach agreement on so many points up to now, it seems very probable that one or the other will find a reason (genuine or spurious, depending upon your viewpoint) to protest the whole event. The fact is, they have to go racing on February 8th just to satisfy the New York Supreme Court that they were acting in accordance with the Court’s ruling; that is: if you are going to race, the race must start no later than 10 months after the Court ruled that you should!

It will still be a thrilling spectacle and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness a true ‘Battle of the Giants’. We will be there on Monday, February 8 (not the12th as previously reported) and we hope to see you there.
Mike O’Neill

America's Cup 33 News - It is going to be broadcast live - and free on the web!

photo©2010 David Inwood
The Société Nautique du Genève (SNG), trustee of the America’s Cup, has delegated the responsibility for organising the media and event activities for the 33rd America’s Cup to Consorcio Valencia 2007. The 33rd America’s Cup promises to be a regatta unlike everything which has been seen so far.

The two fastest boats in history will fight for the America’s Cup over race courses that are up to six times bigger than the ones used in the 32nd America’s Cup. For this reason, the TV coverage of the racing will be key. For the first time in history, the races will be broadcast live and free of charge through www.americascup.com to reach the biggest, widest possible audience, including all the fans who will not be able to be in Valencia to witness live this historic competition

The on-shore action will be concentrated at the Veles e Vents, the landmark building central to Port America’s Cup. A giant screen will be installed for fans and spectators to follow the races live as well as enjoying a host of complementary activities around the Port area. The International media centre with capacity for 150 journalists will be in close proximity to the Veles e Vents.

Jorge Gisbert, General Director of Consorcio Valencia 2007: « We are very grateful to have the event back at Port America’s Cup, in the short term we have available we will do our utmost to set the stage for an unforgettable event here in Valencia. »

To organise this event in a short time Gisbert has surrounded himself with an international team involved in the execution of the 32nd America’s Cup. This team led by Michel Hodara (SUI, 48) consists of seasoned professionals in the field of television, media, public entertainment and hospitality.

Alinghi's Marquee flies on Valencia's High winds!

David Inwood is our man on the spot at the port in the lead up to the 33rd America's Cup here in Valencia. David and his wife are overwintering on their yacht in the Marina Juan Carlos 1 and have already experienced more extreme weather conditions in their few months here than most of us have seen in ten years!
Today was no exception ...
We've had a wild and wonderful morning in winds gusting up to 59kts. Apart from minor damage to boats around us, the main event was seeing the new Alinghi marquee at the end of the marina blown to smithereerns!

read Mike O'Neill's excellent columns on the recent events leading up to this latest America's Cup

33 America's Cup- Do you really care?

The long-awaited ‘grudge match’ between Alinghi and BMW Oracle is closer to being arranged........but not much closer.
For those of you still following this story after two years, yes two years of court cases and verbal sparring, this will not come as any surprise. For those who are reading about this for the first time.......it would take too long to explain, so read the back-pages if you want the full story. A brief summary is impossible.
But it is not going to happen in Valencia but in Ras al-Khaimah, bet the teams are happy about that!
read (much) more on this sad and convoluted story by clicking the headline.
Words 2009 Mike O'Neill
Image of First sail for Alinghi 5 on Lake Geneva ©2009 Carlo Borlenghi/Alinghi

NO PLAIN SAILING!

That’s it – it’s definite! The America’s Cup is NOT coming back to Valencia. (Although there’s always a small voice somewhere from the Town Hall that says, “Well, it might just if…and then gives a fairy tale list of if, buts and maybes that will never – but never happen.)

Which leaves us with the question, “What are we going to do with the beautiful white elephant that is the Puerto Americas Cup?”

This multi-million euro drain on the public purse had a brief couple of months of glory in 2007 and has since stood all but deserted. On the cusp of the Formula 1 event, whose track runs through the port, the only people in attendance were a team of cleaners washing down the enormous windows of Veles i Vents, the once posh VIP centre for the Americas Cup, now looking sad and dejected – but clean! A few workmen are tarting up the cafés and restaurants, but broken plant holders and streaked paint give off an air of neglect.

At five minutes before two on a Friday lunchtime (07 August - 3weeks before F1), when restaurants would normally be filling up, the staff at elegant Arribar set out on the terrace over forty tables, each with four chairs, with half as many again inside – with not one customer. Throughout the chi-chi area not one member of the general public moves, sits down to lunch or even takes a beer.

Weeds grow through the slats of the wooden seats built for people to watch the Cup races on enormous TV screens. It’s a perfect place to have an open air cinema, under the stars, with a cooling breeze blowing off the Med, but the Town Hall doesn’t seem to have thought of that, or thought of anything else to do with enormous area of big venue spaces, open air walkways, fancy bars and restaurants – it even has its own Victorian bandstand. But there’s no sign of the floating golf course we’ve been promised – at least we can be grateful for something!

So, wanted, an astute, inventive, far-sighted entrepreneur, with ideas, plenty of money and an ability to deal with a lot of bureaucratic plonkers.
words and images ©2009 Derek Workman

AMERICAS CUP BACK ON THE WATER!!

No, you read it right, this is no April Fool, this is the real thing!

For those of you who need a brief update on the reason for the long delay: Following Alinghi’s successful defence of the trophy in July 2007, they accepted CNEV, a newly-formed Spanish Yacht Club as Challenger of Record. The two teams set about changing the format and rules for future Americas Cup series. A number of other teams were outraged by this and one of them, BMW Oracle, commenced legal action against Alinghi in the New York courts, alleging that CNEV was not a valid Challenger of Record.

A court hearing in November 2007 found in favour of BMW Oracle but Alinghi appealed and, in June 2008, managed to reverse the original decision. BMW Oracle then counter-appealed and the whole thing was brought to an end with a New York Supreme Court ruling yesterday, 2 April 2009. An extract follows:

'Since CNEV has failed to show that at the time it submitted its Notice of Challenge it was a 'club fulfilling all the conditions required by' the Deed of Gift, it does not qualify as the Challenger of Record for the 33rd America's Cup competition and Supreme Court was correct in declaring GGYC to be the valid Challenger of Record.'

SNG, Alinghi’s home club said yesterday: “It has consistently been our view that the America's Cup should be fought on the water. Today through the American courts the Golden Gate Yacht Club has won the right to challenge the Société Nautique de Genève. We will now discuss the terms for the regatta with them and will prepare our defence of the 33rd America's Cup.”

GGYC, BMW Oracle’s home club have yet to comment, but a statement from Tom Ehman of GGYC following the first court hearing still seems relevant: He said ““From the very beginning this whole process has been about stopping the defender from imposing a wholly one-sided set of rules on the Cup that was strongly opposed by the great majority of challengers.”

CNEV issued a statement saying: Club Náutico Español de Vela (CNEV) and Desafío Español have received the news of the New York Court’s decision with disappointment.
The court’s decision confirms Golden Gate Yacht Club as the Challenger of Record, to the detriment of the Spanish club.

So what now? The situation was best summed up by Richard Gladwell of Sail-World.Com: “The fate of the America's Cup lies in the hands of Ernesto Bertarelli and his clubs and team.

Take the hard line and insist on meeting Golden Gate YC in a multihull and there will be another round of Court argument and Appeal, which will not be resolved for another two years, plus the 10 months taken from todays date for the match to be held - effectively three years.

Or, he can take the magnanimous line, agree to operate under Mutual Consent and run a multi challenger event, which could be underway in 12 months time (April 2010) with the first preliminary regatta being sailed off Valencia in the months time.

Your call, Ernesto.”

There will be more stuff to resolve before the show is well and truly back on course but we will keep you posted as the news breaks. Good sailing!
Mike O’Neill

Mike O'Neill writes regularly on Sailing and the America's Cup here

Larry Ellison wins in court over the America's Cup 33

A New York court Thursday backed American team BMWOracle over the Swiss champions Alinghi as an end to a long-running legal fight that could now mean the next America's Cup will be a duel between the two clubs in multihull boats.
The New York Court of Appeals overturned a ruling last year that backed, Club Nautico Espanol de Vela (CNEV), a Spanish club as the official Challenger of Record for the next edition of yachting's premier event.
BMWOracle, owned by American billionaire Larry Ellison, will now replace the Spanish club as the Challenger of Record, giving it the right to help organise the next America's Cup with defenders Alinghi.
"We're very pleased with today's decision by the New York court," Oracle spokeswoman Jane Eagleson told AFP. "We're carefully studying the decision and expect to have more to say in the next few days."
Alinghi's spokeswoman said the club would issue a statement later Thursday.
Oracle now has the right to demand the next America's Cup be a best-of-three duel with Alinghi in multihull boats, rather than the traditional regatta involving several teams, but the US team has said it is willingto negotiate with Alinghi to reach a deal on a traditional regatta, and the court in its ruling even called on them to talk with the Swiss champions to settle terms.

Americaa's Cup 33, the regattas are taking place in Valencia

Valencia to host two pre-regattas
The 33rd America's Cup event authority, AC Management, today signed a Host Venue agreement with the Valencian Municipality and Regional Government for Valencia to hold two America's Cup pre-regattas, the first from the 10-19 July and the second in October.

I Exposición Flotante Ciudad de Valencia.

New and Used Boat Show
03-08 April Juan Carlos I Marina, Puerto de Valencia
Organized by the Unión de Empresas Náuticas (UEN), and the managers of the Juan Carlos I Marina a Floating exhibition of new and used boats. From Friday 3rd to Wednesday April 8, this new fair aims to establish itself as one of the biggest and best Mediterranean boat shows.
More by clicking the headline

America's Cup: An open letter from Ayre Challenge's Pedro Perello to BMW Oracle's Russell Coutts

Ayre Challenge represents the prestigious Yacht Club of Denia, one of Valencia and Spain’s most important yacht clubs. It is the second of two Spanish challengers for America's Cup 33.

Dear Russell,
The reasons that induced me to write this open letter stem from the respect I have towards you and your team.

Ayre challenged for the America’s Cup more than a year ago, hoping to take part in a competition that thanks to the excellent organization set up by ACM and the Valencian and Spanish public institutions became a world reference and example of what a global sports competition should aspire to.

The success of the 32nd edition in the summer of 2007 in Valencia surpassed all expectations and was also due to the active participation of all Teams, with BMW Oracle Racing undoubtedly being a clear example. Ayre was born because of the 32nd edition being so successful.

Unfortunately, any judicial procedure in any field causes serious setbacks to the proper development of any activity and in this particular case all teams are suffering from this eternal lawsuit that, without pointing any fingers, looking for reasons or blaming anyone, has paralyzed the 33rd edition of the Cup.

Alinghi has recently decided to get sailing back on track and reactivate the organization. They have gathered all teams that have legally entered and started a process of rebuilding the competition. I truly believe this was the correct procedure because the current situation is greatly detrimental to all involved but also to the image of the America’s Cup.

After three meetings in Geneva, all participating teams have been able to confirm Alinghi’s predisposition to carry out the necessary modifications to the Protocol, the Event and Competition Regulations, as well as the design of the new box-rule, in a completely democratic way. As a result, great advances have been achieved in a short time.

Ayre considers that at this moment we objectively have the evidence that demonstrates the change in situation. Race Officials will be selected from ISAF officials. The Protocol and the Event and Competition Regulations are being modified in a democratic way, open to all registered Challengers. We believe that going back to an exhaustive 10-point list, most of which have already been addressed, is not the most cordial way to reach an agreement. Nor is it a considerate gesture towards the teams present in the meetings.

We want to believe BMW Oracle Racing wish, as they have repeatedly stated, the return to an open competition, open to all Challengers, as soon as possible.

Ayre thinks that at this moment the only important issue is to break the current deadlock, without any accusations or analysis, without declaring winners or losers in a dispute that has hurt all parts equally. The only important issue is to remedy the reasons that caused BOR’s action, within the democratic framework Alinghi has put in place with all the teams participating in the 33rd America’s Cup. A DoG Match will irreversibly damage the possibility of having a multi-challenger edition in the near future.

As a challenger that represents the prestigious Yacht Club of Denia, one of Valencia’s and Spain’s most important yacht clubs, we think that the effort and patience shown by the Valencian and Spanish public institutions should not be wasted.

The deadline for inscription in the 33rd America’s Cup is on December the 15th. After that date, no team will be able to join. Ayre thinks that BMW Oracle Racing’s presence is essential and its absence will strongly weaken the competition. We also think that BOR has the right to participate, as long as it’s done before the deadline and within the formal framework.

Let this friendly letter be a demonstration of our admiration towards a team that through its perseverance and capacity has demonstrated that, despite suffering sports setbacks, because of its spirit of fair competition it has been able to come back and compete.

Dear Russell, the America´s Cup needs the three-time winner of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sports event, and probably the world’s best sailor, to be part of it, adding to its prestige.

Sincerely,

Pedro Perelló

America's Cup: GGYC publishes a 10 point plan for Protocol changes

hanges
The following is a 10-point plan that articulates simple changes to the proposed Protocol for America’s Cup 33 that would address the concerns of many Challengers who want to ensure that the rules of AC33 are fair.  With the exception of #10, the plan is based on the points we negotiated with the Challengers in December last year, and reflect further concessions since offered.  Agreement to these 10 points by the Challenger community could return AC33 to the water as early as 2010.
1. Once the changes to the Applicable Rules are completed, any further changes to Applicable Rules governing AC33 shall be mutually agreed between Defender and the Challenger of Record (COR) (subject to point #2).
2. All Challenger of Record decisions, including agreeing to the ACC Rules, Event and Competition Regulations, shall be made by majority vote of the Challengers in a Challenger Commission, one vote per team, including the COR who also has one vote, except that material amendments to the Protocol, Event Regulations or Competition Regulations, once agreed and issued, can be made only by unanimous vote of Competitors.
3. The current Arbitration Panel shall be dissolved and a new Arbitration Panel shall be appointed comprised of five members; SNG and the Challenger Commission shall each appoint two members, and the other four shall select the fifth member.
4. The Defender can race in the Challenger Round Robins, Challenger Sail-Off and Challenger Secondary Series. The Defender cannot sail in the Challenger Semi Finals and Final. Larry Ellison’s letter of 17 October 2008 to Ernesto Bertarelli offered several options in this regard, which BOR stands by.
5. The “Fair Competition” clause (2.3 of the Protocol) shall be expanded to include the Officials, Sailing Jury and Arbitration Panel.
6. The Defender and Challenger of Record shall jointly appoint a Regatta Director who shall be responsible for ensuring fair races are conducted in accordance with the terms of the Protocol. The Regatta Director shall have the same powers as for the last America’s Cup (he or she appoints/manages race committee, appoints measurement committee, umpires, and other officials as needed, prepares and publishes Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions).
7. Entries from AC32 challengers shall be accepted and not thereafter disqualified provided continued compliance with the rules, and then only by the Arbitration Panel.
8. AC33 shall be held in Valencia with AC32 teams retaining their bases if they desire.  In addition, the format and Schedule to be published by ACM ahead of time and not to be altered without consent of affected Competitors.
9. Each Challenger and the Defender may be limited to building only one new boat. As a result of this change, and as consideration for allowing the Defender into the Challenger selection series, there can be no Defender selection series.
10. There shall be no restrictions on Competitors’ sponsors or any control by the Defender or ACM over Competitors’ sponsors beyond the traditional restrictions (e.g., no tobacco sponsors). Moreover, ACM shall not ambush existing team sponsors, and if ACM secures an Event sponsor that conflicts with a major sponsor of a Competitor, that Competitor shall be under no obligation to display ACM sponsor logos on its yacht, base or team gear or otherwise promote or associate with such Event sponsor.

Fun in the Port of Valencia, The Trophee Clairefontaine

The Trophee Clairefontaine got off to a great start yesterday with their sailing equivalent of the qualifying circuits at Formula One, the Warm-up Rhodia. It makes for a highly entertaining afternoon. The races in small catamarans are short and so close to you in the Basin of the Juan Carlos 1 marina, that you can almost touch them!
Racing continues today from 12 O'clock with 'Raids'off the beach at Las Arenas, followed by 2 hours of races back in the basin. The final day and trophy giving is tomorrow, Sunday.
The best news is that it's all free to the public and the best views are from the Veles i Vents building.
More from our sailing correspondent Mike O'Neill later.

Another America's Cup in Valencia? - Maybe not!

America's Cup legal uncertainty forces AC Management to end Host City contract with Valencia

Valencia, 27 June 2008 - As a consequence of the continued uncertainty around the 33rd America's Cup caused by the Golden Gate Yacht Club's legal manoeuvres, AC Management and the Spanish institutions (Central State, Valencia Region and Valencia Municipality) have been left with no option but to revise the terms of their relationship, ending the contract signed in July 2007 that named Valencia the Host City for a multi-challenge 33rd America's Cup in 2009.

The two parties have entered into a new agreement that concludes months of discussions trying to adapt the contract signed after the success of the 32nd America's Cup to the current legal context. Under the new agreement, the organisation and exploitation of the Port America's Cup facilities will be managed by the Spanish institutions from 1 July; the 33rd America's Cup teams retain the opportunity to continue using their bases and the majority of administrative benefits for teams and personnel remain in force until the end of 2008.

Michel Hodara, Chief Executive Officer of AC Management, the company organising the 33rd America's Cup on behalf of the defending yacht club, Société Nautique de Genève, explains: "Too many issues, such as the dates and participants, remain unresolved until the Appellate Division of the New York Supreme Court publishes its decision; meaning the July 2007 contract is no longer appropriate. The Spanish authorities understand the situation and we are pleased that we have come to a new agreement adapted to the current context, in the best possible spirit. We thank them for extending the use of the bases and the administrative benefits to the teams.

"This does not mean that we are leaving Valencia. The choice of the venue for the 33rd America's Cup will mainly be based on competitive factors and if Valencia is considered the best place, then a second America's Cup Match will take place here."

More on this in thisisvalencia.com over the weekend - Mike O'Neill, currently in Cowes , will comment.

Il Divo in Concert Valencia 28 April 2007 - the review

photo ©2007Jose Antonio Gómez Barroso

12,000 people came to the Arena in Port America's Cup on the 28th of April to see Tenor supergroup Il Divo, for the first performance of their European tour. Accompanied by a symphony orchestra of Valencian musicians they gave a polished, if a little short, performance. The name Il Divo translates from italian to 'divine male performer' and with their impeccable dress sense (got to be Armani suits!) and their 'Adonis' good looks, their main appeal is to women. Borne out by the audience, the majority of which were misty-eyed females. Their classically trained voices and harmonies are perfect, and they performed songs from their new Album, including Nights in White Satin, and Without You. For more words and pictures click the headline...