The New Valencia

"The proof of the pudding is in the eating" seems particularly appropriate here, given that the proverb apparently dates from Cervantes in his Don Quixote of 1605....




Valencia Opens To The Sea - Spain's City Of Light To Become City Of Sails; Mediterranean Port Welcomes America's Cup
Dec 21, 06 | 2:22 pm


Valencia, SPAIN, December, 2006 - To welcome the competitors for the America's Cup next year, Valencia is opening itself to the sea. For the first time in more than 150 years - from June 23 to July 7, 2007 - Europe will host sailing's most prestigious event. Aficionados from around the world - some 6 million are expected - will flock to this sunny city on Spain's Mediterranean to watch the world's best yachtsmen from 10 countries battle it out as the Swiss Alinghi team defends its title against 11 other teams. Officials are predicting the America's Cup will create 10,000 jobs and generate $1.5 billion for the Spanish region's economy.

In 1851 Queen Victoria watched the last competition in Europe as the yacht America representing the New York Yacht Club beat 15 British vessels racing around the Isle of Wight. Since then, America's Cup races have only been held in Britain, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Reliable wind conditions, year-round temperate weather and the promise of a race that will bring spectators closer to the sailing action were key factors in convincing officials that Valencia would be the best venue. Preceding the America's Cup April 3 to 7 is the Louis Vuitton Act 13 Fleet Race and the Louis Vuitton Cup, April 16 to June 12. The winner of the final Act goes up against the Alinghi team.

Three years ago, Valencia began an ambitious urban planning program with a view to creating one of the top ports in the Mediterranean. One of the major projects has been the creation of a new urban area, the Balcón al Mar, which integrates the city with the port, marina and beach areas. Valencia has spent $637.5 million revitalizing the waterfront alone, and by next year the inner harbor and commercial port will be transformed into a state-of-the-art marina - or several of them. In the center of the inner harbor will be the mega yacht marina for vessels larger than 98 feet. A 1,968-foot channel has been opened to allow the racers and their boats direct access from their bases to the sea. A new breakwater provides marinas on either side of the channel with mooring for 700 sailing vessels. At the entrance to the canal sits the emblematic Sails and Winds building, the Foredeck & Owner's Club designed by David Chipperfield and Fermín Vázquez. Offering panoramic views of the inner harbor, the $45.9 million building will have six restaurants, 20 clubs, bars and other entertainment venues - all providing privileged bird's eye views of the races. Lying alongside the channel is the 34-acre America's Cup Park, where 600,000 sailing enthusiasts will follow the competition on giant TV screens. Here, more restaurants and entertainment venues will be joined to the lower seafront promenade by ramps leading down to Malvarrosa Beach and the mile-long, palm-lined Paseo Maritimo.

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The Port America's Cup, as it exists (for the most part) today. While life for the teams in a 24/7 construction zone has not been all peaches and cream, the facility is second-to-none in the history of the Cup. Build it and they will come? We shall soon find out.



June '06 -- the opening ceremony for the Port America's Cup during Act 11.