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America’s
Cup 2007 – Valencia |
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The beautiful Town
of Valencia will be hosting the America’s Cup
in June 2007 at the Spanish port of Valencia but even
though the America’s Cup isn’t till 2007
there is lots of important development projects currently
being undertaken. The Inner Harbour is being reconditioned,
The port of Valencia and the surrounding parts of the
port is going to be totally transformed in order to
host the best America’s Cup in the history of
this event. The city is being restructured in order
to house the 12 bases for the competing teams, which
will form a circle around the inner harbour, media
hub for the world’s top sports journalists. |
| The most spectacular
project is the dock that will be found in the centre
of the circle of the bases, this will support yachts
that will stretch out 250 metres towards the centre
of the water’s surface. Another important construction
is the canal that will allow the America’s Cup
boats to reach the race area in 15 minutes. |
| It’s
the first time the event has ever be held off the
mainland of Europe in its 152-year history because
none of the European challengers have been successful
in winning hosting rights until 2003 stunning triumph
by a Swiss boat. Valencia was selected in November
2003 as the next host for the America’s Cup
mainly for its tourism infrastructure and because
steady summer breezes guarantee start time for the
32nd edition of the race. |
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On August 22nd, 1851
Queen Victoria of England found herself surrounded
by her entourage in Cowes, England anxiously awaiting
word on the relative positions of the yachts competing
in the hundred Guineas Cup being sailed that very day
round the Isle of Wight. There had been no lack of
rumour in the English press earlier in the week as
to the reputed speed of the yacht, America, the lone
American entry. The Queen dowager, who had been privy
to these rumours, had been repeatedly told by those
closest to her, that England would most assuredly prevail.
After all, hadn’t the Royal Navy and England’s
magnificent fleet of trading vessels dominated the
world’s oceans for three long centuries. |
| Besides, America
was the only foreign entry vying against sixteen of
England’s finest and swiftest yachts. How could
any vessel, and an American one at that, possibly attain
victory under such dire circumstance? History, however,
who in the past has held little patience with prevailing
wisdom, would prove herself consistent that afternoon.
Shortly after four o’clock, Greenwich mean-time,
a single sail appeared on the distant horizon. In the
afternoon quite, disturbed only by a soft, dying breeze,
the eyes of the Royal party strained westward each
vying to identify what was most assuredly, “the
first English yacht”. Sails billowing, the yacht
under scrutiny and as yet unidentified, carved a graceful
arc through the water of the Solent, rounded the last
mark and slid silently and triumphantly towards Cowes
and her place in history. |
The
Schooner Yacht AMERICA, built in 1851 |
At that moment
the Queen, with that innate sense of portent fate
bequeaths upon its leaders, leaned forward and whispered
quietly in the ear of the Marquis of Anglesey who
sat at her right,
“who is it in first place, my lord?” in
a halting voice the Marquis replied “I’m
sorry to report, madam, it seems it is the yacht America.”
So, late summer 1851 the Americas challenged the world’s
best sailors to win the silver goblet (weighing almost
30 pounds, crafted by crown jewellers Garrard’s
of London) off them and the America’s Cup was
born. |
| But the cup stayed
in American hands for another 132 years until an
Australian team finally managed to secure it in 1983. |
Click here for the America's Cup Official Website |
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