The Cup in Valencia again ?
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According to the spanish press, the owner of Alinghi, announced this week-end that if they were to win this 32nd edition, they would organize the next event in 2009 in Valencia
devant la base suisse © Patrick Grippe
The news came out this past Saturday in the Spanish press, in one of the better known Valencia daily newspaper "El Mundo". Bertarelli, the owner of Alinghi took advantage of a visit to Valencia by Bernie Ecclestone, president of Formula 1 Management, who had come to announce a Formule 1 event in 2009 in the heart of the city, and hold a press conference with him. Bertarelli said that if they were to win the Cup, they would organize the next Cup in Valencia at the same time as the Formula 1 grand prix.
The two men expressed that they wanted the two events to coincide and to have the circuit in the heart of the America Cup. It would be an ambitious project which would justify the massive investments made by the city of Valencia for this 32nd edition, stabilize the employment and put the 3rd largest city in Spain at the heart of two enormous sporting events.
During the month of April, the Swiss owner didn´t want to give out information what he would chose in case of victory…wanting to keep the game in place and not succumb to the temptation of believing they would win before having actually raced. What has happened since then?
Sent by email, the Alinghi press officer didn´t completely confirm the information: "If Alinghi wins this 32nd America's Cup and the necessary conditions to carry out this event in Valencia are fulfilled, we do not exclude doing the 33rd AC in this city." A very non-committal response to the Spanish press release this weekend.
The future will be decided on the water. The Swiss still need to win…for the good fortune of some and the “bad luck” of others!
Fdb/Lh- Valencia 15th of May