Palma candidate for the America's Cup

Next Thursday, March 20 Palma's candidature to be the venue for the next America's Cup, one of the most imporant international sports events, together with the Olympics and the World Cup for football, will be presented. The presentation ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. in the Chapel of the Consulado de Mar and will be attended by the President of the Balearic Government, Francesc Antich; the president of the Mallorcan Council, Maria Antònia Munar; the mayor of Palma, Joan Fageda; and the president of the Port Authorities, Francesc Triay, as representatives of the public institutions that support the candidature promoted by the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

Last February the Swiss team, Alinghi, won the last America's Cup, obtaining for the first time in history the victory for a European yacht. The fact that Switzerland has no coastline lets the owner of the team, Ernest Bertarelli, choose the European City for the venue of the next event of the America's Cup to be held between 2005 and 2007. Besides Palma, Spanish cities that are opting to be the venue of the America's Cup 2007 include Barcelona, Cadiz, Valencia, Sanxenxo in Galicia, plus Marseille and Sète in France, Lisbon in Portugal and Naples in Italy, amongst others.

This popular series of regattas was held for the first time in Great Britain in 1851 when it was won by the yacht, America, that gave its name to the competition. The following events have always been organised in USA, except on one occasion in Australia and two in New Zealand.

Date of publication: 19/03/2003

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