32nd Americas Cup in Valencia, 2007

Spain's Costa Blanca port will be first European venue for 156 years

Valencia, on Spain's Mediterranean coast will host the 32nd Americas Cup in 2007, making the Spanish port the first European venue since 1851 for sailings' oldest race.

The Americas Cup will bring many benefits to Valencia and the surrounding coastline of Spain's Costa Blanca, including official support of towns with marinas such as Denia and others, which are already seeing a growth property prices. We will undoubtedly see further increases in property prices as the Costa Blanca becomes better known through global news coverage of the Americas Cup, putting it firmly on the world map for the first time.

Valencia and the Costa Blanca has a long maritime tradition and excellent racing conditions. It is Spain’s third largest city and is surrounded by some of the most popular holiday resorts in Europe. The Americas Cup will draw huge crowds to Valencia for what was considered an elitist sport. With over 1,700 restaurants, 42 museums, 13 art galleries, 17 cinemas, 12 theatres, and 30 gardens or municipal parks, Valencia has some of Spain's best facilities.

Perfect Weather Conditions on the Mediterranean

Consistent, reliable, weather conditions were the most important consideration in making the selection, and Valencia and the Costa Blanca coastline are near perfect in this respect.

This part of the Spanish coast enjoys a summer sea-breeze regime, with a steady, moderate, south easterly wind building late in the morning and holding through early evening. The warm climate (recorded maximum of 107 degrees F / 42 degrees C) at the coast rising to highlands inshore promotes updraft and resulting winds. Tidal range is moderate with a 1.5 knot current sweeping south along the coast.

New Super Yacht Pier and Village

On three occasions in the past Valencia has served as the training base for Spanish teams, which have challenged for the America's Cup but this time, as host, the city is being transformed in preparation for the 2007 event.

An America's Cup village in the Port is planned, where the team bases will be built, with public access to allow fans close to all the action. Work is also underway on a super yacht pier, which will stretch 250m into the centre of the basin and will berth 60 boats by 2006. Major work on the canal and breakwater will allow boats to reach the race area within 15 minutes of leaving the team base in the port.

Because racing events can be held up and down the coast, the yachts will be in view of spectators along the shore for much longer than has often been the case in the past.

The region promises far more than just excellent sailing. There are many other towns along the coast with excellent water sports facilities including rowing, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing, fishing, jet-skiing, catamarans and cruising yachts.