Sorry Folks, it ain’t gonna happen.......

Bet they're not smiling now!


There should be AC33 yachts on the horizon!

The reason I have been slow in putting pen to paper (ok, finger to key-board) recently is an increasing awareness that, notwithstanding two major and costly defeats in court, Ernesto Bertarelli’s ego is so huge, he just cannot accept defeat. The result of this is that, in spite of Golden Gate Yacht Club’s (BMW Oracle’s home club) offer to bury the hatchet and agree to a conventional America’s Cup series in Valencia next year, Société Nautique de Genève (Team Alinghi’s home club) have instead accepted the alternative of a head-to-head ‘Deed of Gift’ match in 90 foot multi-hulls at a venue to be decided.

SNG statement: issued yesterday (23 April), said:

“At a meeting today in Geneva, the America's Cup defending yacht club, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), confirmed that it accepts the Golden Gate Yacht Club's (GGYC) challenge for the 33rd America's Cup and informed representatives of the American yacht club that its team, Alinghi, will be ready to race their 90x90ft boat (as stated in the GGYC Notice of Challenge) in 2010.

SNG expressed its willingness for the challenger selection to be open to other teams and has encouraged GGYC to do so by offering them more time for teams to prepare if necessary. It was also stated that the SNG would be flexible and ready to discuss other terms of the 33rd America's Cup such as race format, venue or calendar.”

Now, much as I look forward to the spectacle of two giant multi-hulls (catamarans or trimarans...or one of each) hurtling towards one another at 50 knots plus in a winner-takes- all ‘grudge match’, the idea that this should be the way forward to future America’s Cup contests is just plain stupid. For a start, once one of these two giants has crossed ahead of the other.......game over, bar some unfortunate accident. These ‘boats’ are just so fast that, unlike Formula One where a great start can often be undone, the leading boat can just sail away and...well, where’s the sport in watching that?

The idea that the (alleged) eighteen other teams, waiting in the wings for the outcome of this conflict, would now willingly commit themselves and their sponsors (!) to the design, build and trial of these multi-hulled monsters really beggars belief. These teams have been willing to toe the party line thus far in the vain hope that they would get at least a year’s worth of low-cost sailing in the existing armada of AC yachts. GGYC (BMW Oracle) had already stated that, if they won the case, they would be happy for the 33rd AC Challenge to carry on in the existing boats provided that SNG (Alinghi) accepted some modest amendments to the rules that SNG had instigated.

GGYC statement: Valencia, Spain, 23 April 2009 – “A delegation from the Golden Gate Yacht Club and its team, BMW ORACLE Racing, met in Geneva today with representatives of SNG/Alinghi. GGYC’s clear and straight-forward proposals for a fully competitive, conventional America’s Cup in monohulls were rejected by SNG, who insisted on a regatta in large multihulls under the Deed of Gift (“DoG”). SNG asserted that the Deed of Gift match with GGYC would take place in May 2010. This is in defiance of the recent decision and orders of the New York courts that the DoG match take place in February 2010.

GGYC has asked SNG to put their position in writing, and hopes to have another meeting with SNG soon to clarify issues related to the DoG match. GGYC is disappointed that SNG categorically rejected our proposals for a conventional regatta. GGYC will continue to negotiate in good faith as Challenger of Record to put the America’s Cup back on the water as soon as possible.”

The question of dates is important. The New York Supreme Court ruled that racing should take place within ten months of judgement, which means by the end of February 2010. If the two teams don’t like the idea of racing in cooler European waters at that time of year, they could always be sure of a warm welcome in New Zealand, where Alinghi first won the trophy back in February 2003. Read the rest of this story NOW on thisisvalencia.com.....Bertarelli’s Big Problem
Mike O'Neill

Vote for Barbara!

If you are a regular reader of thisisvalencia.com you will probably look forward to reading Barbara O'Neill's excellent column about life as an ex-pat in (and out) of this fair city of ours. What you probably don't know, and I am about to tell you, is that Barbara has written a book, and jolly good it is too - it's called THE GIANT KILLERS and is currently on the Harper and Collins website Authonomy.com for all to read. The purpose of the site is to get your book read and voted on. The more votes, the higher the book is ranked and when it is ranked high enough it will be read by an Editor at Harper Collins with a view to publication.If, of course it is not snapped up by an eagle eyed agent or publisher in the meantime.
'When Elizabeth and Jack open the package they believe they are looking into a toy box. It is Jack who notices they are breathing.'
Barbara would love you to visit her page and have a read of this excellent novel, which she describes as a fantasy thriller. If you like it sign up to the site and put her book on your shelf and send her your comments....

To whet your appetite here are the cover notes:
It is the year 2150. Elizabeth Waldren, married to a man she has come to despise, is living in an old cottage on the isolated shores of Chichester harbour. Her husband, Stephen, is a geologist with a colonisation project on the planet GT4. Absent now for ten months, he has left her with his psychologically disturbed eight year-old son, Jack. On a routine survey Stephen risks entering the prohibited area and stumbles across an indigenous race, The Lhaitiri. Only twelve centimetres tall, he succeeds in capturing nine of them and, by a clever deception, transports them to Earth, keeping their existence from the project leader, Jonathan Tupperman. Angered when Elizabeth refuses to let him play with them, Jack resolves to punish her; but as he begins to understand the strength of her friendship with Ybron, their chief, he decides The Lhaitiri must die. As Elizabeth discovers that she is dealing with a life form far removed from that of Earth, she is determined to communicate. But when conversation is finally possible, so comes understanding and The Lhaitiri are faced with the true nature of the human race; with all its complexities and the society it has created for itself.
Go on go over to Authonomy.com and read (VOTE TOO) Barbara Richmond O'Neill's THE GIANT KILLERS, I guaantee you'll be hooked from chapter one.
Gooru

Our latest newsletter out today!

Our new style newsletter hit the mailboxes all over the world today! Packed with information and fun to read.
If you would like regular news from Spain's third largest city, home to Formula One, Open Tennis 500, The Gran Premio de España Show Jumping, The Palau de les Arts, The world's Best Zoo, Europes Best Aquarium and some of the best Architecture, nightlife and dining in Spain - send us an email by clicking the headline and following the instructions on the Newsletter. Hey and you can follow this blog and follow us on twitter too!

Tupper Sex Party at Laboratorio

Hey Girls,
What better way to spend a sunday evening in Valencia than drinking Champagne and Chocolate cake and looking at sex toys? Laboratorio, just off Plaza de la Virgen is holding a Ladies only Tupper Sex Party in conjunction with the sex shop 2-ROMBOS.
5€ e gets you in to the presentation 2 'copas' of Cava and Chocolate cake
It is a private party with closed doors and only for Girls!
Reservations are a must - 625 46 1616.
Oh and boys? There will be a Gay themed party by the same team at Café de las Horas very soon ...

America's Cup 33: Société Nautique de Genève statement

CONFUSED? WE ARE....
Geneva, Switzerland - (2009-04-23)
At a meeting today in Geneva, the America's Cup defending yacht club, Société Nautique de Genève (SNG), confirmed that it accepts the Golden Gate Yacht Club's (GGYC) challenge for the 33rd America's Cup and informed representatives of the American yacht club that its team, Alinghi, will be ready to race their 90x90ft boat (as stated in the GGYC Notice of Challenge) in 2010.
SNG expressed its willingness for the challenger selection to be open to other teams and has encouraged GGYC to do so by offering them more time for teams to prepare if necessary. It was also stated that the SNG would be flexible and ready to discuss other terms of the 33rd America's Cup such as race format, venue or calendar.

Good News on the America's Cup

The Golden Gate Yacht Club have written a letter to Société Nautique de Genève setting out their thoughts on the way the next America's Cup could be. Sounds good for Valencia- Let's hope the meeting tomorrow in Geneva goes well

A statement just issued by GGYC, reads:

'The Golden Gate Yacht Club and its team, BMW ORACLE Racing, remain committed to a multiple challenger, mutual consent regatta. In preparation for our meeting with Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) this Thursday (23 April) in Geneva, Commodore Marcus Young sent a letter to his counterpart at SNG today reiterating our commitment and outlining two proposals for a multiple-challenger AC33. This letter is posted on our Club website, www.ggyc.com. We believe it is important to be clear and transparent in our respective positions. We are asking SNG to respond with their position in writing to avoid any confusion.'

The letter referred to reads:

Golden Gate YC - Golden Gate Yacht Club

April 21, 2009

Commodore Pierre-Yves Firmenich
Société Nautique de Genève
Port Noir
CH-1223 Cologny
SWITZERLAND

Dear Commodore Firmenich,

We remain committed to a multiple challenger, mutual consent regatta. To that end, we have ceded full authority to our delegation to negotiate an agreement with your club, and we seek confirmation that your delegation has similar powers.

We also believe that the process can be accelerated by highlighting our position to you in writing ahead of the meeting, thereby giving your team time to discuss the options and prepare. Henceforth, our AC33 proposals will be in writing and we respectfully request your responses be in writing as well.

Our proposal for AC 33 is for a multi-challenger regatta under a Protocol and rules (racing, technical and commercial) agreed by mutual consent, at Valencia in 2011, in your new 'AC33' class based on:

AC 32 rules and format with cost cutting measures; and the Board of ACM agreed by mutual consent.

or, alternatively:

a traditional format of a separate Challenger Selection Series organized at your venue by Louis Vuitton (if they agree to this role); i.e., the Challengers will provide the winner of the LV Cup, and the Challengers will re-assume the financial and organizational responsibilities for this series.

On Thursday our delegation is going to Geneva to discuss the foregoing with your representatives. We look forward to your written response to these proposals within a week of the Geneva meeting.

We suggest there be a neutral observer at the meeting able and willing to brief potential Challengers and the press afterwards. We invite your suggestions on who this might be.

Sincerely,

END

Flamenco Jazz At the IVAM

Valencian saxophonist and composer Kiko Berenguer heads a strong group of jazz musicians tomorrow 24 April at 11:00pm at IVAM for a session of Jazz Flamenco. Kiko Berenguer (sax and direction), Rafael Vargas " The Chino" (singer), Juan Carlos Gómez (flamenco guitar), Rogerio Campas (bass), Rafa Villalba (percussion) and Julia Gominelli (percussion) give the free performance of music and music from the films with a flamenco jazz twist.
24 April, 11:00pm
IVAM Centre Julio González
C/ Guillem de Castro 118 – Valencia

The Royal Ballet comes to the Palau de les Arts

The ballet returns to the Palau de les Arts in the hands of Carlos Acosta and The Royal Ballet. The Cuban dancer, one of the best dancers of today, hailed by the press as the “successor of Nureyev” and the “new Nijinski” together with the UK's finest Ballet company, Covent Garden's The Royal Ballet will present a show with choreography by Robbins, Stevenson, MacMillan and Balanchine. In the pit, Paul Murphy, musical director of the Royal Ballet of Birmingham, will conduct the Orquestra of the Comunitat Valenciana.
more at thisisvalencia.com by clicking the headline

International Book Day, BookCrossing and IVAM Valencia

Tomorrow 23 April, is International Book Day (a symbolic date for world literature for on this date in 1616, Cervantes, Shakespeare and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega all died), IVAM, along with 26 Spanish museums and centers of contemporary art, will share the experience of bookcrossing, or book liberation. More than 2,000 books related to different artistic disciplines 'released' ready for you to capture.
For those of you unfamiliar with BookCrossing, it is, in the site's own words, "an earth-friendly way to share your books, clear your shelves, and conserve precious resources at the same time. Through our own unique method of recycling reads, BookCrossers give life to books. A book registered on BookCrossing is ready for adventure.
Leave it on a park bench, a coffee shop, at a hotel on vacation. Share it with a friend or tuck it onto a bookshelf at the gym -- anywhere it might find a new reader! What happens next is up to fate, and we never know where our books might travel. Track the book's journey around the world as it is passed on from person to person."

All IVAM's released books will be credited with BookCrossing labels, will contain the instructions necessary to the 'capturer' and will be registered in the page Web www.bookcrossing-spain.com, where the readers will be able to indicate the place where they found each book and the place they released it.
IVAM say that the object of this initiative is the diffusion of knowledge on contemporary art.
More by clicking the headline

Free Folk Extravaganza At Valencia Poly

Very short notice, but we only found out today ourselves - The Valencian folk group Quamlibet plays live tomorrow Thursday, 23 April, in the Nexus Building at the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, with a circuit of music named, in Valencian So de Sons. The concert begins at 8;00pm and is free!
Quamlibet comprises of six musicians and there will be an accompanying audio-visual spectacle filled with new features. If you can't make it tomorrow or you can and love what you see and hear they appear again in Valencia at the II Festival Dos Mares de Valencia. More information on this later, but it is a festival of music from the mediterranean and of Asturias and Cantabria. Sounds great.

Rita's Pleased! -33rd America´s Cup

According to our sources, it appears the mayoress of this lovely City, Rita Barberá, has received a letter bearing good news. A letter which she described as "very nice", from Ernesto Bertarelli, the founder of Alinghi, in which he has expressed his belief that Spain and the Comunidad Valenciana deserve to be the hosts, once again, of the massive nautical sporting event, the America's Cup.
Barberá is full of hope after BMW Oracle recently declared their intentions to negotiate a new protocol with Alinghi for the next Cup so that the other teams who wish to compete may do so. Bertarelli, in his letter, has informed her that he is already in touch with Larry Ellison, co-founder and CEO of Oracle Corporation, in order to reach an agreement and the fact that they are open to negotiation is great news for Valencia, especially after the New York courts ruled Oracle to be Challenger of the Record, meaning this America's Cup could only be a three-regatta race between Oracle and the defender of the Cup, Alinghi.
Anita Darling

Global Champions Tour - Show Jumping

8 to 10 May City of Arts and Sciences
Valencia has been chosen as host city to the Grand Prix of Spain when the Global Champions Tour travels here for the first time. This new 5* CSI takes place from the 8th to the 10th of May when the organisers, Oxer Sport, the leading company in the organization of equestrian events in Spain, will transform the water areas of the City of Arts and Sciences into a stunning arena. It all takes place over three days in early May and is open to the public.
more by clicking on the headline

XII Festival de Cometas cancelled

Apparently due to lack of funds this year's festival of kites has been postponed from this weekend- the organisers are trying to reschedule for a weekend in June. It is such a shame, it is a lovely event .. we'll keep you posted

America's Cup: LATEST NEWS

Dear Members of the Société Nautique de Genève,

The latest developments in the 33rd America's Cup deserve some explanations so that you are all aware of the current situation.

For nearly two years, SNG and Alinghi have worked in conjunction with 18 challengers and those discussions led to the establishment of two new classes of America’s Cup yachts, initially the AC 90 rule and, more recently, the AC 33 rule. In addition, the rules that would have had governed a multi-challenger event as proposed in May 2010, were negotiated and published.

On April 2nd, the New York State Court of Appeals declared that the Club Náutico Español de Vela was not a valid Challenger of Record and, as a result, forced the Société Nautique de Genève to accept the Golden Gate Yacht Club (the club of BMW Oracle Racing) in its place, according to the terms in their notice of Challenge, including a multihull boat 90ft by 90ft.

Following the recent decision of the New York Courts, the rules governing the 33rd America's Cup, that SNG had developed with the Club Náutico Español de Vela, are no longer valid.

The Société Nautique de Genève is writing Golden Gate Yacht Club today to inform them that it accepts their America's Cup Challenge and that invites them to meet in order to define the terms that should govern the 33rd America's Cup.

Ernesto Bertarelli, President of Alinghi, also expressed his willingness to meet the President of BMW Oracle Racing, Larry Ellison, in a face-to-face meeting.

We will keep you informed of the outcome of these meetings in the weeks to come.

Yours sincerely,

Fred Meyer
President of the America's Cup Committee

A rare opportunity to see Rodrigo Leao in concert

Rodrigo Leão is one of Portugal's most important composers and performers,
he started his career by working with some of the most prominent Portuguese groups of the 80's and 90's; first playing keyboards with Sétima Legião, an ensemble that produced new visions for Portuguese modern pop and three years later, he became part of one of the most significant Portuguese musical projects of all time, Madredeus, again playing the keyboards.
In 1993 that he decided to record his first solo album, Ave Mundi Luminar. The album reflected numerous influences, from classical music to modern downbeat sounds, with vocals by Teresa Salgueiro, and with lyrics written in Latin, the album ultimately obtained significant success all across Europe. A year later, Leão decided to abandon Madredeus, and from then on he focused entirely on his solo career. Theatrum, his second album, was released in 1995, once again inspired by electronic sounds and world music. More than five years later, in 2000, he released Alma Mater, his third album, once more receiving considerable acclaim. His last album, CINEMA, released in 2004 went straight to number one in Portugal and also received critical acclaim throughout the world.
His short 3 date tour of Spain begins in Benicassim this Saturday 18 April and continues through to Zaragosa on Monday 20 April and ends in Logroño, capital of Rioja, on tuesday 22 April
tickets for the Benicassim show which begins at 22:30 this Saturday are 12€ and are available through www.telentrada.com/902.10.12.12
Teatre Municipal de Benicassim: 964300102

America's Cup - An Open Letter

This is an open letter to the Société Nautique de Genève and the Golden Gate Yacht Club from the Commodores of the five yacht clubs that either set the America's Cup competition in motion: the Royal Yacht Squadron, or have been a former trustee of the Cup: the New York Yacht Club, the Royal Perth Yacht Club, the San Diego Yacht Club and Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

'We write to encourage you to negotiate together for a fair and equitable multi-challenger competition for the thirty-third defense of the America's Cup. We believe that such an event, as opposed to a 'Deed of Gift' defense, is in the greater interest of the sport of sailing in general and of members of the broad America's Cup community, who have invested their time and resources to make the event a true international competition of the highest order.

'We hope that the current challenger and defender will work together to find a way through their differences to bring about such an event for the good of yachting and the America's Cup.'

The Lord Iliffe, Commodore Royal Yacht Squadron
David K. Elwell Jr., Commodore New York Yacht Club
Mark Fitzhardinge, Commodore Royal Perth Yacht Club
R. Andrew La Dow, Commodore San Diego Yacht Club
Scott Colebrook, Commodore Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron

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.

Fib Benicassim just gets better and better

fib, the Benicassím Musicfest gets bigger every year - British bands Maxïmo Park and The Horrors head the latest list of new additions to the line-up. Maxïmo Park will be promoting ‘Quicken the Heart’ (2009), and The Horrors will be giving us a taste of the new trails they have been blazing with Geoff Barrow of Portishead on their new album, ‘Primary Colours’to be released shortly. The Walkmen, a New York-based band, are also on board with their latest album, ‘You & Me’ (2008). The British band Elbow will also arrive with a new release in tow, ‘The Seldom Seen Kid (2008). Canadian artist Peaches, the personification of punk is now coming and the Swedish indie singer Lykke Li with her stirring electropop vibe; as will the Japanese-American Steve Aoki, an outstanding DJ and producer who has remixed bands like The Killers and Duran Duran.

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.

Lenny Kravitz Performs in Valencia 02 MAY 2009

Lenny Kravitz will perform in Valencia. The New York singer opens his four date Spanish tour on May 2 at the Luis Puig Velodrome to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his first album, Let Love Rule. The tour includes performances at the Cordoba May 3 in Madrid on 8 and Saragossa 9.

Last year the president of the Diputación de Valencia, Alfonso Rus, was determined to get more Headline American artists to play in the city sarting with Madonna at Cheste.

This year, the first artist to open the concert scene, outside the MTV Winter Festival poster, will be Kravitz. Tickets for the concerts, with the exception of Madrid, are through through Tick Tack Ticket.

Superbike World Championship 2009

03-05 April Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana
HANNspree Superbike World Championship 2009 will take place at the world famous Cheste Circuit on April 3rd, 4th and 5th, 2009.
More by clicking the headline

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

XXI Mostra de Vinos Cavas Licores y alimentos tradicionales. Valencia

01-05 April Rio Túria.
This annual wine and food fair is a great way to sample excellent wines and locally produced meats and cheeses. It is open from 11am to 9:30pm each day, a 6 euro ticket gets you admission, sampling tickets for wine and food, a wine glass and an earthenware dish. More by clicking the headline!

EARTH HOUR IN VALENCIA

Lights out for Earth Hour. That’s the message circling around the globe as the clock ticks down to the action hour: 8 p.m. on March 29. The organizers, backed by World Wildlife Fund, are hoping that millions of people around the world will turn off lights and other electrical appliances not in use.

This worldwide light-switch flipping won’t be as dramatic as it sounds — even from the vantage of the International Space Station — since 8 p.m. arrives at a different time in each time zone.

Valencia has agreed to become one of the participating cities which include Bangkok, Brisbane, Buenos Aires, Christchurch, Copenhagen, Dubai, Dublin, Fiji, Halifax, Manila, Montreal, San Juan, Scott Base (Antarctica), Sydney, Tel Aviv, and Toronto. Valencia is turning off the lights on major public buildings for the hour.
What could be simpler than turning off your lights for an hour, on a weekend, in early evening?

So, don't forget - this Saturday 28 March at 8.00 pm - wherever you are, turn it off for an hour - let's just see if helps...

Lily Allen joins this years great line up at FIB

Lilly Allen will appear live at FIB Benicassim, joining the ever growing list of great names for this 2009 edition.
If you want to join the 20,000 already booked for this year, a four day pass, including camping is just 155 UKL


Thursday
Oasis
We Are Standard
Naive New Beaters
Aldo Linares
The Coronas
No Reply
The Bishops
Mystery Jets
Glasvegas
Anni B Sweet

Friday
Paul Weller
Kings of Leon
Yuksek
Nacho Vegas
nudozurdo
Magazine
Boys Noize
Fight Like Apes
Joe Crepúsculo

Saturday
Franz Ferdinand
Josele Santiago
Bell X1
Tadeo
Lily Allen
Aeroplane

Sunday
The Killers
TV on the Radio
Late Of The Pier
CatPeople
The Psychedelic Furs
White Lies
Friendly Fires
Laurent Garnier

Àgora and the Tennis Open 500 Valencia

Work is almost continuous on the new 'centrecourt' and multiuse space that will open on November 02 this year with the Valencia Tennis Open 500. At any time of the day or night there are builders and welders all over this incredible new Santiago Calatrava designed structure which forms yet another part of the City of Arts and Sciences.
Can't wait to see it open and functioning!

Rita, the Mayoress of Valencia at Mascletà in Fallas

Every day in Fallas at precisely 2.00pm there is a Mascletà, a gloriously noisy firework display that is so popular that the city population swells to watch and to listen, It is so popular it is also played live on the television and indeed, the radio!!
Valencia's larger than life Mayoress is there on the balcony each day with the Falleras and her guest to watch and then to sing the hymn of Valencia.

Spring

It's here!

May you never lay your head down without a hand to hold...

It is such a sad day, John Martyn, one of the world's great singer-songwriters died this morning.
He made a mountain of wonderful albums and beautiful songs in a career spanning 40 years.
All of us at thisisvalencia will really miss him.

Mercado De Fuencarral opens in Valencia!

DESIGNER HEAVEN!

I know, you'll be saying that there are quite enough shops and shopping centres in town already, but this latest is well worth a visit. At the top end of the Río Túria towards the new Parque Cabacera is the sparking MDF (Mercado De Fuencarral), two floors of designer stores and a floor of food, drink and entertainment, and topped by a floor of multiplex cinemas showing a great regular selection of movies in Original Version (VOS).

Valencia is now the new site for this great concept which originated in Madrid, International designer names like Adidas, Camper, Chevignon, Pepe Jeans, Puma and Mango Accessories are to be found alongside lesser known but equally as interesting shops selling everything from jewellery to clothes to works of art and luxury foods and drink.

There are great places to eat and drink too, with free wifi and a DJ on hand all through the day and late into the night playing your favourite sounds. The Sofa Club is the heart of Fuencarral a place to sit and relax and take a coffee or a cocktail or catch a concert or your favourite dj. There is also Laydown, a restaurant where you do just that, serving food and drink all day and dinner shows too. Pepita, a bar restaurant serving great food and drink. Propaganda Cafè, serves great shakes and smoothies and the best burger in town. Opera Prima have two locations serving great refreshments and there is Waqas Döner Kebab.

It will come as no surprise that Fuencarral is the place to be on New year's Eve!

Mercado de Fuencarral | C/ Tirso de Molina 16 | 46015 | Valencia | Spain

A flat for sale in the heart of the city of Valencia

Here is a great opportunity to buy a lovely flat just off the Cathedral Square in the heart of the historic centre of Valencia. This is a three bedroom, first floor flat in a pedestrian street close to the Plaza de la Virgen. The photos do not do this flat justice! It has three good sized bedrooms, large lounge, kitchen and nice bathroom. The unique thing about this flat is that it has a central courtyard which gives the flat a lot of light(and adds a lot of space too!) only 200,000 euros or near offer!

The FIB Heineken 09 Line-up Starts to Take Shape

Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon and Paul Weller are the first confirmed names for the line-up of the most exciting and excellent summer music festival in Spain. This is going to be a line-up that you definitely do not want to miss!
Here's a reminder that 4-day tickets are on sale at a special launch price of ₤140 until January 15th. Tickets include free camping between the 13th and 21st July.
For more information go to tickets.fiberfib.com

Americas Cup Delayed Again

The future of the America’s Cup once more rests with the lawyers following the failure of Team Alinghi to provide the documents requested by BMW Oracle.

In notifying Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) of the decision, Marcus Young, Commodore of Golden Gate Yacht Club (GGYC) said: “Over the past 17 months, we have made a number of constructive suggestions to resolve the dispute outside of court and get the America’s Cup back on track. Yet SNG and your defense apparatus have consistently refused to negotiate with us in good faith.”

Alinghi’s response was: “Yesterday's announcement by BMW Oracle and Golden Gate Yacht Club is not a surprise as they have never shown any interest in joining the competition alongside the 14 teams, currently officially entered. Instead, at every turn, they have chosen to insist on pursuing their selfish legal strategy.”

The next, and final, court hearing commences on 10 February 2009 in the New York Supreme Court of Appeal. Meanwhile, Ernesto Bertarelli’s attempts to stage a pre-America’s Cup regatta here in Valencia next June are looking decidedly shaky.

The Louis Vuitton Pacific Series, which starts in Auckland on 31 January, will put a serious dent in the budgets of those teams who have already entered. Other, newer teams will struggle for sponsorship money until a court decision is handed down; probably sometime in April. This will leave little time to get their teams up to speed and many will prefer to conserve their resources for the main event, whenever and wherever that might be.

It is impossible to predict which way the final Appeal Court decision will go but it seems probable that the delay will make a 2010 America’s Cup series look very doubtful. The best we can hope for, if BMW Oracle win their appeal, is for a spectacular ‘Deed of Gift’ series in 90ft catamarans. But it will be nothing compared to what we witnessed here in Valencia last year during the 32nd ACC Series.

Mike O’Neill

America’s Cup Dealine Approaches

The two open letters below, one from AYRE Challenge and the reply from Russell Coutts of BMW Oracle, seem to show a closing of the chasm between Ernesto Bertarelli of Team Alinghi and Larry Ellison of BMW Oracle.

The documents referred to by Coutts are critical to the reaching of an amicable settlement of this long and expensive war between two of the richest men in the world. Bertarelli’s original plans for the 33rd AC Challenge were unacceptable to Ellison and to many other teams. In an effort to overcome the resulting 15 month stalemate, Bertarelli organized meetings in Geneva with other challengers which resulted in these plans being significantly revised. Team BMW Oracle were not at these meetings and their own suggestions for avoiding further court action were ignored. Bertarelli has declared a deadline of 15 December for entries and Coutts has requested copies of the proposed plans by 8 December, giving his team a week to study and digest the plans.

As the AYRE Challenge letter states: “The only important issue is to remedy the reasons that caused BOR’s action”.

Quite simply, if BMW Oracle receive the documents and proceed to nit-pick and prevaricate over relatively minor details, I believe they will lose the goodwill and respect of the majority who have supported their stand.

If BMW Oracle receive the documents and, following clarification of certain points, feel able to re-submit their challenge, then it seems likely that the America’s Cup will be able to proceed as planned in Valencia in 2010.

If Team Alinghi fails to provide the documents requested by 8 December, then BMW Oracle are, in my opinion, perfectly justified in pursuing their claim through the courts.

This will be very sad for all those who have had to put their lives on hold while this drama has unfolded, but it would be worse to see this 157 year old trophy brought into further disrepute.

Mike O’Neill

AMERICA'S CUP: LATEST NEWS

Thursday, 04 December 2008- An open letter from BMW Oracle's Russell Coutts to the America's Cup Challengers

BMW ORACLE Racing CEO and Skipper Russell Coutts has replied to Ayre Challenge skipper's oppen letter with another open letter to the AC33 Challenger community. In it he says that his team is willing to consider entering AC 33 “by 15 December even though it is a totally arbitrary deadline” but he needs to see “the current drafts of the protocol, event regulations, and competition regulations.”

He adds, “If we do not receive these materials as requested – or our review of them shows there has been insufficient progress in resolving fairness issues – we will cease our 17-month effort to resolve this dispute with the Defender and other Challengers, and will rely on the New York State Court of Appeals to decide.”

Here is the full text of his letter.

Dear America’s Cup colleagues,
As you know, my colleagues and I at BMW ORACLE Racing are eager to join the Challengers for AC33 and we’ve made genuinely constructive suggestions and concessions to make that happen, including embracing ISAF’s willingness to mediate this dispute.

We share your interest in having a world-class field of Challengers for our sport’s pinnacle event, and appreciate your belief that BMW ORACLE’s participation is essential.
We are willing to consider entering the competition by 15 December even though it is a totally arbitrary deadline. However, inasmuch as we’ve been excluded to date from the discussions, we need further clarity on fundamental issues (which you say have been addressed) to meet our concerns, and those of others, about fair and competitive rules.
Specifically, we ask that you arrange to have the Defender send us by Monday, 8 December the current drafts of the protocol, event regulations, and competition regulations. This would give us a week to properly review them against our Ten Point Plan and determine our course of action before the 15 December deadline.
If we do not receive these materials as requested – or our review of them shows there has been insufficient progress in resolving fairness issues – we will cease our 17-month effort to resolve this dispute with the Defender and other Challengers, and will rely on the New York State Court of Appeals to decide.
With respect to the lawsuit, we are moving into the home stretch with a decision on our appeal expected early next year. Given the stakes involved in preserving the integrity of this great event, we do not believe a few more months presents an unreasonable delay. As we’ve said before, if we prevail, as we expect, we will work toward having a fully competitive, conventional multi-challenger regatta with fair rules in 2010.
Still, we are willing to give a settlement outside of court one last try. In the cordial, friendly spirit of your letter, I hope you will help move this process along by arranging to provide us the documents we request.
Sincerely,
Russell Coutts
CEO and Skipper

Meanwhile in a report in El Mundo yesterday Rita Barberá, Valencia's mayoress, after a meeting with the president of Valencia's regional government, Francisco Camps, said that both are ready to close the deal for the 33rd America's Cup to be held in the city.

“Pending the judge's decision, we are both ready to close the deal as soon as possible”, Barberá stated "For us it is already mentally here." she then told journalists to ask the central government's Vice President, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, "when she comes", whether she also agrees.

“We have the will to support the celebration of the 33rd America's Cup in Valencia with all the boats and teams possible and it should take place in July 2010, with two pre-regattas in 2009 as offered by Alinghi", she concluded.

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

A nativity scene in Valencia Cathedral

There is a long tradition of 'Belén's' or nativity scenes in Spain. At this time of the year they can be seen all over the city and in towns and villages. Some villages hold competitions each year and there are shops devoted to the art. Christmas Markets have stalls dedicated to the models and parts for the scenes too.
Many homes have them, some on a really grand scale.
Valencia Cathedral has one for the first time in 400 years this year. It is a lovely Belén and is free to visit every day until the 6th of January. Expect queues at weekends.