Valencia - venue for Americas Cup 2007

Valencia proved to be an excellent venue for the 2007 Americas Cup regatta.
(with thanks to Esthi Hottinger for her great photos).



The facilities were superb, as they should be after expenditure of more than Eu 500 million.













The Foredeck













 It might take a while for the city fathers to recoup all that money as the marina and super yacht berths were only half full at best for the Louis Vuitton Series.






The weather was brilliant during the time we were in the city although the wind was not as consistent as predicted. Several people commented that Brad Butterworth was talking through a hole in his head when he claimed that the lack of wind early in the series was most unusual. Most locals said that in fact this was quite normal as the sea breezes did not pick up until the land warmed up and that was never going to happen in April. They suggested the Cup regatta was being held earlier than planned because TV networks had insisted that the Cup coverage not clash with the Tour of France - to be raced in early July. The locals said if the Cup had been put back a month or two, the winds would have been much more consistent.

Valencia was a fascinating city with an amazing contrast between old and new:



Centuries old church in the 'Old Town'













1000 year old Cathedral










Brand new Science Museum














Fountain in park







The park extends for 9 km through the centre of the city, being developed out of what was an old river bed. It was brilliant for morning walks and bike rides. But be warned - watch out for crims: one Kiwi was mugged when walking alone in the park mid morning.