The America's Cup in Valencia.
The experience of the spectator:

So what does the spectator get out of visiting Valencia on days when America's Cup racing is going on? Isn't it a specialist event, going on too far from the shore to be able to follow the actual developments of the regattas? The answer is: yes and no. Yes, races take place quite a way out "at sea". But there are two ways to get closely involved in the racing action.

One way is pay about 25 euros to get out in the water on a chartered boat. Although it is certainly an experience to see the actual races from close by, I prefer the other option:

Go to the old port called "Darsena Interior", at the bottom of Avenida del Puerto. Here is a big visitors' center, where all the information comes together, where the yachts come back to after racing, but, most importantly, there is a giant screen on which you can follow the races in a detailed manner. Very good camerashots take turns with computer generated images of the development of the races. And with many sailing enthusiasts surrounding you, there's a great atmosphere - and the all important bar & café..!

The Schedule leading up to the actual America's Cup in 2007:

There is an ambitious four-year schedule of regattas commencing in 2004, each one a distinct Act in the drama of the 32nd America's Cup. The climax will be the Louis Vuitton Cup and the America's Cup Match itself in 2007 (these make up what we currently think of as the America's Cup).

These opening Acts will be a mixture of fleet and match races in a variety of venues, and open to all. In an effort to make America's Cup racing a more regular feature on the sailing calendar, the series of preliminary Acts has been developed to ensure there is America's Cup competition in each year leading up to the 2007 Match. These Acts allow the teams to measure themselves alongside their fellow competitors at each event, and keep race fans firmly focused on America's Cup racing.

Acts 1 thru 3 were held in 2004.

The program for 2005-2007 is as follows:

Act 4: Valencia, 16-22 June 2005
Act 5: Valencia, 24-26 June 2005
Act 6: Malmo, 25 August - 1 September 2005
Act 7: Malmo, 2-4 September 2005
Act 8: Trapani, 29 September - 6 October 2005
Act 9: Trapani, 7-9 October 2005
Act 10: Valencia, 4-15 May 2006
Act 11: Valencia, 18-21 May 2006
Act 12: Valencia, 15-25 June 2006
Act 14: Valencia, 3-14 April 2007

And then, the grand finale...

Louis Vuitton Cup, Valencia, april-june 2007 (to determine the challenger)
America's Cup Match: Defender vs. Challenger: june 2007

In 2007, the final Act will be an opening Fleet race, for all the competitors of the 32nd America's Cup. After that, the Challengers will square off in the Louis Vuitton Cup, to determine who will race Team Alinghi in the 32nd America's Cup Match.

NEXT ISSUE: Reports and photos from Act4, Valencia.
And let's hope the wind is right this time...!

See also: Background to The America's Cup.

Article by Hans de Geus. Hans@visitvalencia.info