Monday's the day! And the closer the match of the multihulls gets, the more sailing enthusiasts and regatta fans will be itching to follow the action in Valencia up close. Whether and how this is possible? We'll tell you!
Period
Monday, 8 February, 10 a.m.
Wednesday, 10 February, 10 a.m.
Friday, 12 February, 10 a.m.
To win, a team must win two races (best of three). Theoretically, everything could be over by Wednesday. However, the wind and wave window is relatively narrow, which could lead to delays and cancellations. Just how narrow is not entirely clear. The race committee will decide whether the conditions are sufficiently safe. At the moment, it looks as if it will be possible to sail, at least on Monday.
If there is no start on one of the three race days due to weather conditions and the score is 1 to 1 after the first week, the match goes into extra time. The period from 15 to 25 February is scheduled for this. It is not even possible to estimate how likely it is that the Cup will only be decided in the second round.
Flights
Unlike in 2007, the situation is quite relaxed. There are still places available from various airlines and departure airports (see below). If the match goes into extra time because the three race days scheduled for the coming week are not enough for the decision due to the weather, it will be even easier to fly. In any case, it is advisable to buy a ticket with a rebooking option to keep all your options open.
Lufthansa from e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich between 600 and 1,000 euros. Sunday/Monday there, Saturday (13 February) back.
AirBerlin from e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich between 300 and 500 euros. Sunday/Monday there, Saturday (13 February) back.
Swiss from e.g. Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Munich between 400 and 600 euros. Sunday/Monday there, Saturday (13 February) back.
Iberia from Frankfurt and Munich, 290 euros.
Monday there, Saturday (13 February) back.
Hotels
Only a few rooms still available near the harbour. So book as soon as possible at www.booking.com, www.hotel.de or www.hrs.de.
Prices range from 60 to 250 euros. There are still numerous accommodation options in the centre.
Programme
AC Management will kick off the Cup with the official opening ceremony on Sunday. But the harbour will already be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, and there will be a number of programme items worth seeing.
Next to the Veles e Vents, the AC Park for visitors directly on the harbour basin, there will be a large screen for public viewing. The races will be broadcast live from the regatta course, but there will also be other visual highlights before and after, such as videos of the previous Cup. And don't forget the kindergarten, so that even the youngest can have fun.
In any case, the port will remain open from 6 to 14 February, even if a decision has already been made.
On a normal regatta day, the AC Park opens at 9 am and closes at 8 pm. During the other non-race days, the park is open from 10 am to 6 pm.
Regatta support trip
It was not possible to find out conclusively how many support boats will be used on site. What is certain is that some passenger ships will also take paying guests out on the water at short notice. However, in view of the extremely high speed of the cuppers and the 20 nautical mile long track, the spectacle can only be followed from a great distance. The view will therefore be much better on land at the public viewing. Many of the support boats therefore also have television sets or even projectors on board, which can be used to show the live images from the four helicopters and eight camera boats.
You can sail on the maxi "Fortuna", which makes day trips.
Information and booking at Scansail Yachts International GmbH, Palmaille 124 B, 22767 Hamburg, Tel. 040/388422, www.scansail.de
TV
EUROSPORT Mon 08.02. 09:30 - 12:00 live
1st race
EUROSPORT Mon 08.02. 20:35 - 20:45
Inside America's Cup with Paul Cayard. Interviews, analyses and reactions from the skippers
EUROSPORT Wed 10.02. 09:30 - 12:00
2nd race
EUROSPORT Wed 10.02. 19:10 - 19:20
Inside America's Cup with Paul Cayard. Interviews, analyses and reactions from the skippers
LIVE VIDEO STREAMING - For the first time, the match will be available to watch for free on the internet at www.americascup.com. There will also be a live ticker. It is unclear whether the bandwidth will be sufficient to provide millions of fans worldwide with smooth images. In any case, there is an alternative address that you should also try: BMW Oracle Racing also hosts the live videos on their website.
Links
www.americascup.com
www. bmworacleracing.com
www.alinghi.com
www.turisvalencia.es/de/33-americas-cup
Webcam: www.americascup.com/en/lieu/webcam/webcam-50-846
Alternative programme
And what to do in a calm or storm if the races are cancelled? We definitely recommend a visit to the City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias) - a cultural and leisure centre with modern architecture and interesting exhibitions. www.cac.es.
Further tips on Valencia's attractions can be found here: www.turisvalencia.es.
