NY Judge says "Go Race Feb 8th"

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Valencia, Spain - (2010-01-29)
Justice Kornreich of the New York Supreme Court informed the America's Cup defending yacht club, Société Nautique de Genève, and the challenging Golden Gate Yacht Club today via telephone conference that she will not hear the American challenger's complaint regarding the ‘constructed in country' requirement of the Deed of Gift before the 33rd America's Cup Match which is scheduled to begin on 8 February.

More Thoughts From Kimball Livingston

and the famous "Hundred Guinea Cup" itself has arrived in Valencia welcomed today by Mayor Rita Barbera

Spectating?

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Spectating at the 33rd America's Cup Races may be a challenge.  The Race Officials have issued some information about watching the boats offshore the below quoted from Scuttlebutt:

"NOTICE TO MARINERS - SPAIN
Harold Bennett and Niccolo Porzio are the people responsible for the regatta course for the 33rd America's Cup and have two main important concerns:
1) Whether the races will be able to be staged on February 8, 10 and 12 due to the weather conditions, and
2) The security of the craft that go to sea to witness the duel between the two huge trimarans.

They have issued a very stern warning: "This edition of the America's Cup bears no relationship whatsoever with the previous edition that was far more accessible and took place in the summer, and the nearest buoy to be rounded will be at least five nautical miles from the coast." Mr Porzio added, "We must warn the spectators that those who set out to sea to witness the races must be prepared for the conditions that they will meet. The buoys will be at least thirty nautical miles from the coast and this is a considerable distance and if people do not have the necessary equipment or experience to cope with these conditions, it is better and far safer that they remain at home and watch in on television. Those who do take to the seas must be prepared to sail at least one hundred nautical miles: thirty to get to the course and thirty to return and will have to navigate a lot in order to follow the two trimarans, and we expect that the final distance to be covered by these private craft is about one hundred nautical miles, or the equivalent of the distance between Valencia and Ibiza, and conditions at sea will not be the same as they are during the summer."

The organization also revealed that the umpire boats for these races will number eleven, as opposed to 63 for the previous edition, and people are welcome to put to sea and observe close to the various buoys, but this is undertaken at their own risk. The Guardia Civil will be responsible for overall security on the water, and the Corps has refused to give any details
of how the security operation will be mounted. Mr Bennett also revealed that the race area will be revealed at 6:30 in the morning of the competitions, and the Notice of Race filed at 10 am as the two craft will have to sail thirty nautical miles to get to the course, and that the course will remain
the same throughout the three days, but racing will be suspended if the wind (variation) exceeds 25 degrees. -- Valencia Life Network, mailto:publisher@valencialife.net"

It sounds as though watching either the big or the small screen may be the only answer??? 

Sailing and Litigating Resume

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The weather has improved in Valencia.  Both boats sailed today under sunny skies, but chilly, in light winds.  Larry Ellison's boat "Rising Sun" arrived in Valencia.  The lawyers are staying busy arguing the "Constructed in Country" issues.  Golden Gate YC issued their latest statement concluding with this sentence: "GGYC hopes the Court will resolve this issue next week, before racing for the 33rd Match starts in Valencia on 8 February."  Full statement at Tom Ehman CiC Statement 27 Jan 2010

Shortly after SNG responds with their own statement concluding with: "SNG remains determined that the winner of the America’s Cup will be decided on the race course and not ashore. We will see you on the start line on the 8 February.”  Complete text at: SNG/Alinghi CiC 28 Jan 2010

Apparently there is one thing they both claim to agree on, racing starts 8 Feb 2010!

A little more than a week before we head to Valencia.  Hopefully a good spectator boat ride will appear.  The course promises to be more than 20 miles offshore and starting at 10 in the morning!  The weather is forecast clear and cool for the next 4 or 5 days.  Good weather for practicing!

It's the Weather!

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From AFP in Madrid:

Tue Jan 26, 12:31 PM

MADRID (AFP) - The two yachts that are do battle for the America's Cup remained stranded in port for a third day Tuesday due to bad weather, less than two weeks before the controversial event is due to start in eastern Spain.

...

Winds of more than 30 knots and waves of more than three metres were forecast off Valencia for Tuesday.

"We are trying to get out as soon as possible, maybe Thursday..," said a spokeswoman for US challenger Oracle.

The bad weather is "unfortunate but expected at this time of the year..," Alinghi's weather specialist, John Bilger, said on its website. "It's an interesting place to have an America's Cup in February!"

Local newspaper Las Provincias said the start of the event could be delayed until February 12 if the region is hit by further storms this week.

Full story

Live TV on Internet to be Offered

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Announced today by Consorcio Valencia:

25.01.2010
Consorcio Valencia 2007 will organise the America’s Cup on shore

International marketing and event team already in place to support.
For the first time, Racing will be broadcast Live on the internet

The Société Nautique du Genève (SNG), trustee of the America’s Cup, has delegated the responsibility for organising the media and event activities for the 33rd America’s Cup to Consorcio Valencia 2007. The 33rd America’s Cup promises to be a regatta unlike everything which has been seen so far.
...

What will it be like as an experience, on the ground in Valencia?

We will welcome fans with an inauguration event on February 7th. And from the first race, scheduled for the 8th, they will be able to watch the races live on a giant screen, get official merchandising and enjoy a range of activities for kids, youngsters and families. Also, there will be food and beverage points with Swiss, American and, of course, Spanish food. We want to create a special atmosphere a great fan experience.

More info at 33rd America's Cup

Getting Ready - The Countdown

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Both AC Teams are actually in Valencia. Sailing has begun, and weather and whether are both in the picture. The court battles continue and February 8 looms as the date set for the first race. Will it really happen? I think it will, so I plan to be there on scene to see what transpires. I hope it is sailboat racing of the highest and most amazing order we have ever seen. Or maybe not....