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17 October 2005, 03:40 pm

Coming Home

America's Cup 2007

The 32nd America's Cup comes home this week, returning to its host city of Valencia, Spain after nearly three months on the road. Since the teams and event organizers packed up and left home to sail in four Louis Vuitton Acts (first in Malmö-Skåne, Sweden and then in Trapani, Italy), many things have changed in the Port America's Cup.

Progress around the Port has continued over the summer, with much of the work completed on the canal which will become a direct link between the Port and the northern race area. The canal will open early next year, and be in use for the 2006 Louis Vuitton Acts in Valencia.

New home for Alinghi

For most of the teams, the significant work has been done at their new homes, the team bases. On Saturday night, the Swiss Defender, Alinghi, hosted a private ceremony to inaugurate its new base. On Sunday afternoon, the team was to host an open house to the public.

The new base is nearly 7,000 square metres, including a gym, sail loft, boat shed, hospitality area and offices. Significantly, the base has a generous public area called Alinghi Interactive which features, among other things, the Alinghi simulator, a replica of SUI 64 designed to provide a virtual America's Cup Class racing experience.

The base opening was attended by 700 guests, including Ernesto BERTARELLI, the head of the Alinghi syndicate, and Swiss Federal President Samuel SCHMID, President of the region of Valencia Francisco Camps and Mayoress of Valencia, Rita BARBERÁ.

Unpacking

Often the worst part of any trip is the unpacking, and that is what the twelve America's Cup teams will be doing this week. All of the boats, shipping containers, tenders and equipment are due to be unloaded in Valencia early this week. It is the final major 'unpacking' of the 32nd America's Cup, as the 2006 Louis Vuitton Acts are in Valencia, as is the 2007 competition.

But for most of the teams of course, more unpacking is ahead. New boats must be built in the country of the challenging Yacht Club, so apart from the Spanish Desafío Español, the eleven other teams will each be unloading some precious cargo before April 2007.

For a complete list of all the news about the America's Cup 2007 CLICK HERE.

Event Media