Ras al-Khaimah in the UAE selected as the venue for the America's Cup
[Source:Alinghi] The America's Cup Defender, Alinghi, and its yacht club, the Société Nautique de Genève, today announced the venue for the 33rd America's Cup in February 2010.
“We are pleased to announce that Ras al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates, will be the Host Country for the 33rd America's Cup,” said Fred Meyer, Vice-Commodore of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG). “This is a venue that offers perfect weather and great sailing conditions for a Match in February; the authorities have shown tremendous interest in, and support for hosting the America's Cup; and the country has experience in organising first-class sporting events such as ATP tennis, PGA golf and Formula One. They will make a purpose-built island available at the Al Hamra Village in Ras al-Khaimah to provide the America's Cup teams, sponsors and fans with an outstanding venue.”
Graphic rendering of the America's Cup Island in Al Hamra Village. Copyright AlinghiHaving won the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 in Valencia with its yacht racing team, Alinghi, the SNG is granted the right to choose the venue for the next America's Cup which is scheduled to start on 8 February 2010.
“Our absolute priorities in making this decision are the prevailing weather conditions and the resulting safety that they bring to both teams,” explains Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth. “We looked everywhere for a venue that suited having good racing for the Match dates in February. We had trained in the UAE in the winter with Alinghi before and in the end we settled on Ras al-Khaimah in particular because of the infrastructure in Al Hamra Village and because it has a great building sea breeze during the day, similar to Mediterranean conditions in the summer, making it good for these boats and safe for all concerned.”
Virtual animation of the America's Cup Island in Al Hamra Village. Copyright Alinghi
His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah, expresses his satisfaction: “It is a great moment for us to host the America's Cup here. It is significant because it reflects how the Emirates have become a place for hosting international events. It is a reflection on what we have achieved in terms of becoming the destination for tourists and trade and industry and is a reflection of our integration in the world at large. This announcement reflects the nature of our country and its aim of becoming host to many nationalities who live side by side in peace. It is a hope and dream that this is the kind of space that we want to have on our globe. It is a great moment for us to host this prestigious event and to welcome all the sports people to the UAE and to Ras al-Khaimah to watch this great event; we are looking forward to its success.”
Labels: 33rd America's Cup, Alinghi, BMW Oracle
21 Comments:
Back to Court, fellows!
How much did Alinghi earn for this decision? $$$$$ Will they return to fair playing ever?
They are playing under the DoG-rules.
"It is a reflection on what we have achieved in terms of becoming the destination for tourists and trade and industry and is a reflection of our integration in the world at large."
It's all about PETRODOLLARS!!!
Fair playing .... The Deed of Gift is unfair with the rules between the Defender and the challenger and it's not Alinghi who wrote these rules.
And why Americans have allways find these rules "fair" as long as they had the cup.
The America's Cup is designed to be unfair. This has served US teams well for over a century! Alinghi is making a fair use of the unfair advantages that the DOG gives to the defender.
DOG challenges work like this:
- Challenger says: I challenge you with this boat.
- Defender can pick his boat, the location and the date (with some restrictions).
- Challenger looses the match.
I do not remember any exceptions to this (mutual agreement cups fo not count). It's the purest form of AC tradition, i guess.
to the 12:27 anon - to return to fair play they had to be there once, which doesn't seem to be the case.
See you in Court
Tom
what is unfair on this?
Lets go sailing, the conditions are 100% perfect! Lets see if the BOR will find a new reason to go to new york i am sure the will but BOR keep in mind your boss can park his houseboat at least at the venue - something that did not work in Valencia..
lets see where the marks will be BOR make sure that your navigator is good otherwise you end p in the Iran - this would be funny
Good question !
At least heat exhaustion should not be a factor for the Alinghi grinders, er, movable ballast/passengers. Think they can fit the engine with an Air conditioning power take off??
What a lovely place to meet LE on water, seems like it's heaven ... holding an US pass must be a real advantage! Wish you gringo a nice stay under a palm tree lost in the middle of nowhere!!
Let's focus on 34rd AC insted
Shut up, your dumb.......
Nothing
Should we run bets on how long it will take before Oracle runs crying to the courts?
Well this venue isn't a surprise to anyone and what will be even less of a surprise is BMW Oracle taking the venue choice to court.
In reading those here saying this is the Deed, go back & read the history. You will find that the tradition & history of The Cup is quite different than what you think.
What is going on now has more to do with hijacking The Cup once again by SNG. Again read your history & until you have done that you can't understand why what is going on now has very little if at all to do with the history of The Cup & how it was run.
You may say this is not important. But it is & very much like "having" going to the NYSC CoA. Why because, because the Judges look at more than just the words of the Deed.
The 33rd has a long way to go in the courts & on the water but sadly like SNG going down this road with CNEV, the final decision will probably not being settled on the water. This is because SNG started this whole legal battle off the water. For them to over & over state winning on the water is a joke & only makes themselves look worse & worse the more they try to sell it.
I can't really think of a worse place to stage the Cup. RAK is a horrible place, it's standout feature is the concrete factory! Although they have pledged masses of investment in new property developments much of this has slowed to a near standstill with the collapse of the property markets. Plus infrastructure is poor up there. Lets hope Oracle win the court case. Roll on the 34th Americas Cup I say!
Wow 12:27 Anon, you certainly got some discussion going, good on ya!
I agree with you, greed and an unfair advantage is ruining the cup, in a way not done before.
Maybe both teams should be thrown out, a challengers series run, and the ultimate winner, holder of the cup until the next edition.Maybe in 12 metres!
W.AUST
2 words - Arabian Peninsula
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