Valencia – A city with the wind in its sails

In April – July 2007, Valencia was the home of the America’s Cup – the most prestigious contest of the seas. This was the first time in the event's proud 150-year history, that this supreme test of sailing ability was fought out in European waters, which created a flurry of activity and excitement that can be felt throughout the region.

As the first continental European team to win the America's Cup, 2003 Champions Alinghi should by rights have been defending their title in front of a home crowd, but as Switzerland is a landlocked country it could not provide the conditions required for the event. As a result, a new venue had to be found within a reasonable radius, and naturally the sunny Mediterranean Sea beckoned. Over 160 cities applied for the honor of being the first European port to host the America's Cup, an indication of just how big a deal it is out here. In the end, Valencia was picked out of a final selection of four that also included Lisbon, Naples and Marseille. The Spanish won out over the Portuguese, Italians and French because of reliable summer breezes that should produce excellent sailing conditions for what is already shaping up to be a truly memorable occasion.

About Valencia, Spain
Situated along Spain's east coast, the Mediterranean city of Valencia is the country's third largest, with over three quarters of a million inhabitants. Settled since ancient times, this is a city with a rich history and a proud seafaring tradition. Trade, fishing and shipbuilding brought wealth, illustrated today in classical boulevards lined with elegant Baroque buildings and impressive churches. But Valencia does more than look to its past alone; as one of the dynamos of Spain's fast growing economy, it is a rapidly expanding city that embraces the future. Modern housing, estates, office blocks and logistic parks reflect the new Valencia, but nowhere is it more evident than at the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias, a stunning Natural Science theme park designed by award-winning architect Santiago Calatrava.

With commerce, industry, technology and property development driving rapid growth in Valencia, this was not exactly a city languishing in the dumps, but even so news of hosting the 2007 America's Cup gave Valencia and the entire region surrounding it a visible boost. In the city, activity increased further, as huge infrastructural investment projects have added to a healthy development in real estate. Along the Costa Blanca—the traditional second-residence region that spread southwards down the coast from Valencia—pretty small towns, such as Javea, were at the heart of an area that was positively affected by the America's Cup.

The world's greatest sailing race has put Valencia and its surroundings on the global map, highlighting the attractive climate, coastline and fascinating culture to a far greater audience than ever before.