News
from: Tourist Office of Spain (New York)
www.okspain.org
Source: Pilar Vico, Meredith Pillon
Published: October, 2007

ABOVE: The next America's Cup race is on Valencia's horizon.

Valencia to host America's Cup again in 2009

VALENCIA, Spain -- After successfully hosting sailing's most prestigious race this summer, Valencia has been selected again as the venue for the next America's Cup to be held in 2009. A winning combination of reliable winds, year-round sunny weather, a brand new harbor with state-of-the-art marinas and viewing capacity for over a million spectators, convinced organizers that Valencia was the perfect venue.

The 33rd America's Cup will take place between May and July 2009 and four teams have already been accepted. Two pre-regattas are scheduled for 2008, one in Valencia in July and another in a second European country that fall. In the spring of 2009, a playoff will determine who will challenge the defending Swiss team, Alinghi.

Back in 2003, Valencia embarked on a $2.8 billion program of infrastructure improvements and began creating a new urban area integrating the city with the port, marina and the beach areas. Valencia spent more than $675 million to completely transform its waterfront area by redesigning the existing harbor and commercial port and adding several state-of-the-art marinas. The new mega-yacht marina accommodates vessels of 98 feet and the1,968-foot channel conceived for this year's race allowed racers and their boats direct access from their bases to the sea.

At the entrance to the canal, the emblematic Sails and Winds building designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez, offers breathtaking views of the harbor along with six restaurants, 20 clubs and numerous bars.

Spectators were able to follow the competition on huge TV screens set up in the 34-acre America's Cup Park that lies alongside the channel. While the America's Cup drew one million sailing enthusiasts, the bustling new harbor has also reinforced the city's status as a major cruise port.

In the last six years, Valencia has experienced a spectacular 400 percent growth in cruise ship visits. This year alone from January through August, arrivals have increased 24 percent and tourism officials expect to have two million visitors by the end of the year.

Staging the America's Cup is just one element of a long-term strategy to position Valencia on the world tourism map distinguishing it from a traditional sun and sea destination. In October 2008 drivers in the European Grand Prix will race through the city's streets. That same year Valencia will host the world indoor athletic championships. A new stadium is being constructed to hold major soccer events starting in 2009 and a motorcycle grand prix is set for 2011.

About Valencia:

Valencia is a wonderful blend of old and new. With its beautifully restored 14th and 15th century buildings like the late Gothic Silk Exchange, the Gothic-Romanesque-Baroque cathedral and a 15th century Gothic palace that houses government offices, the old quarter, or Ciutat Vella, allows visitors to step back in time.

The older architecture is complemented by stunning contemporary structures. In 1998, native son Santiago Calatrava began creating his futuristic City of Arts and Sciences (www.cac.es) along the former Turia River bed. Visitors enter through the 60-foot-high Umbracle that shields a promenade of palms and tropical plants. The Hemispheric, a dramatic eye-shaped planetarium complete with IMAX theatre, is surrounded by a huge rectangle of turquoise water.

The Oceanographic, Europe's largest aquarium, is virtually an underwater city, while the Prince Felipe Museum of the Sciences features interactive displays.

In 2005, the last jewel in the crown – the spectacular Queen Sofía Palace of the Arts – opened with venues for opera, theatre, and dance.

Hosting the America's Cup has also led to an unprecedented demand for sailing courses. The Royal Yacht Club of Valencia offers courses all year round in three categories: Dinghy Sailing for both beginner and advanced sailors, a "Cruise Boats" course in 40-foot boats, and an "Optimist Class" course for kids.

For more information about Spain, contact your travel provider or the Tourist Office of Spain in New York (212-265-8822); Miami (305-358-1992); Chicago (312-642-1992) or Los Angeles (323-658-7188) or go to www.spain.info.

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Photo copyright © Fernando Sanchez.

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