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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.
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| But the cup stayed
in American hands for another 132 years until an Australian
team finally managed to secure it in 1983. |
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