Adios Valencia !! Hola San Francisco ??
With the prospects of another America's Cup being held in Valencia getting slimmer by the day, the sight of teams packing up and leaving will, unfortunately, become more common. According to reliable information we received yesterday, the first victim of the end of this Cup cycle will be the former defender and two-time winner of the event, Alinghi. It seems the Swiss team will be definitely leaving Valencia next month, something that makes sense after the latest statements from Ernesto Bertarelli. Although he tried to sound positive by saying that "Alinghi always rebounds" it's probably difficult to justify the presence in such a big base in Valencia if the team morphs into something completely different and, most probably, smaller.
As one can see from the photos there is a lot of containers at the base while Alinghi 5 is still docked there, stripped down to the bare essentials. In what reminded the infamous pictures when some of the big-name banks failed in 2009, some team members were leaving the base with all their belongings in a couple of boxes.
By the way, we also hear that some people were let go as well from the current Defender, BMW Oracle.
End of an era at the Alinghi base? Valencia, 22 February 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
End of an era at the Alinghi base? Valencia, 22 February 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia Sailing
End of an era at the Alinghi base? Valencia, 22 February 2010. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / Valencia SailingLabels: 34th America's Cup, Alinghi, Valencia
19 Comments:
De la 32 y 33 AC quedarán varias cosas para la historia y para los valencianos unas instalaciones que como bien dice Coutts son únicas en el mundo, pero también quedará que hubo una persona y un equipo que trajo la copa a Valencia sin ser ni siquiera español y otro que se la llevó a pesar de prometer incluso por carta lo contrario. Poner a caldo a Bertarelli es muy fácil, pero ¡que nos quiten lo bailao!, que se dice por aquí.
So sad. We will miss you.
Well I don't think Valencia is completely out of the picture. Uncle Larry said he would defend there. As a American I am happy to read he wants to defend in the U.S., but I still feel the potential challenger meetings coming up (?) will go a long way in determining where AC34 will be held. If anything Valencia surely has to be a front runner to host an Act (or two) in Europe. The facilities there are without question top notch.
So keep your chin up Mr. Pierre. Us Cup fans are not done with you yet. I do appreciate your effort.
Too bad there is so little wind in Valencia in the summer (and often in the winter). Let us hope the next cup will remind us of 1987 and Gage Roads.
With all the interest by USA cities in hosting the Cup it's looks doubtful for VLC hosting the AC. On the flip side it opens the door for hosting a LVSW or a Act purely based upon the facilities they have. Hopefully VLC have plans to use their AC facilities for other sailing programs for the public as it's hard to get facilities for sailing anywhere in the world. Land for facilities for a AC village in the USA will be hard to find but it looks like the Mayors are bending over backwards to make it happen. Mabye like VLC this will be another step forward for the AC and sailing at the sametime.
Rita will play her tax exempt card in exchange for an Act. At the very minimum. This is something you will not get in the USA.
If it the next AC is not in Valencia, I think that the current buildings for the bases will be replaced by a mall, restaurants, hotels, etc. The city must use the darsena and it has no sense to keep the bases.
An Act as a token to be forgiven a written lie? Who wants that?
Valencia cannot be bought so cheap Mr. Ellison!
You promised 34AC and it is obvious you won't deliver. You are a pure liar (and so is Coutts by the way!).
You should be asked to vacate your base within 30 days and start to pay taxes.
On the 50 millions Coutts cashed, it could pay for the expenses generated by the 33 AC.
Great job Pierre i have been reading all the AC coverage and it has been a pleasure. Keep on it !!
Si vuelvo a valencia tienes unas cervezas pagadas
It breaks m yheart to think we will not be racing in Valencia again. Anyone who has been there can testify to how wonderful the city is. AC34 will have to out of this world to top AC32.
Yes, Valencia should be celebrating too, you were great hosts for the cup & many other regattas.
It seems most likely the next cup will be in an American city, & my guess is it will go back to its roots, but its the public that makes the Americas Cup @ the end of the day. So that is what will determine where it will be.
Now I'm also sure there will be the link up again with LV and regattas with the new or similar boats, & this is where Valencia will definitely come in again.
I think we've all appreciated your efforts Pierre, you've help bring AC alive!
I have it on ood autority that CNEV will be taking over the disused bases as the clubhouse for their yacht club......
Hello AC fans, welcome to the reality of ORACLE BMW world.
Commitments to host the 34th AC in VLC were just plain cheap talking...
Why is it that the entire anlo-saxon press and media do not even care to mention it?
Larry a liar? you bet, RC? you bet, and TE, you bet too
shame on you, but great design from the French (wing and boat), great engine the germans, and great hydraulics the Italians...
@ 3:27 PM anon,
I would find it rather interesting to see any document that clearly shows that LE has committed to hold AC 34 in VLC. He certainly said (quite some time ago) that VLC is an excellent venue and that they could see thamselves holding AC 34 in VLC should they win Ac33. However, experssing an intenion is certainly not the same as making a binding committment.
If I go to a car dealer and say, I would like to buy this and that car and in the end decide to buy a car from a dealer across town, does that make me a liar?
Circumstances may have changed and consequently the responses of BMWOracle. Besides, nothing is decided yet and imo VLC is still considered a serious option.
I sense a lot of bitterness, anger and frustration in your email. How sad!
vlc is a dog s^%t infested dump - RIP vtown. Bring on the high fives and hamburgers - "yes we can!"
5:27pm
You should know that Ellison not only said 34AC would be in Valencia but WROTE it in a letter to the Mayoress or to the King. Can't remember. The fact of the matter is the Mayoress showed that letter on Monday 15 during a pot event press conf. Yes, Ellison is a liar!
Has anything concrete been decided about where AC34 would be contested? Ever hear of a negotiating ploy? Or maybe Rita Barbie Doll and the City of Valencia are tired of kissing billionaire asses?
Regardless, Valencia has a wonderful port that can host a number of sailing events in the future. And if Valencia does not host the actual AC34 Cup match I have to put the chances of Valencia hosting an Act (or two) at 75%.
It is interesting to see the name calling directed towards LE switch from "Can't win on the water" to "Larry the liar". In the end Alinghi/Euro-trash grease balls have to bitch about something.
American Friends,
LE is a disgusting billionare liar. Yes, he and RC and TE were saying he will host 34AC in Vlc since 2 years ago. They said that to spanish journalist 5 or 6 times, always justify with a lettler sent to vlc's mayoress to regional president and to Spanish King. Promises are promises and if you dont do, you become a liar.
The new defender is crap. Do you know how they cared the trophy when they had its in BOR's base in Darsena? There are some photos that show they have not any respect to the trophy... And MAscalzone latino's club is like CNEV but created 3 years before... did you see how the italians were dressed when they signed the 34AC? WITH BOR clothes!!!!! Oh my God!!
PS: americans friends. Never forget you have the cup know because firts you went to your own USA Justice... soo easy (of course trimaran was wonderfull)
As ABBA already knew in the 80ies:
"THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL"
and as I might add:
The losers in this thread seem to have difficulties in getting used to the fact that their team fucked up big time...
Grow up man!
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