The prestigious America’s Cup approach Ras Al Khaimah

The America’s Cup is the most prestigious competition in the sport of sailing, and the oldest active trophy in international sport, predating the Modern Olympics by 45 years (158 editions of the America’s Cup took place!). The Cup originally named the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup was changed to the America’s Cup after the first yacht to win the trophy, the schooner America.

The competition consists in 9 macht races: during each race, each challenger has to compete with the defender of the title.

The prestigious event will take place in the luxury resort of Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah starting from Febraury, 8th 2010. After 158 anni since first edition, it is the first time America’s Cup will be held outside usual locations (US, Australasia, Europe).

After visiting Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah has been preferred both for logistics, and environment all around the location, specified Brad Butterworth, Alinghi skipper.

Teams took part in last editions of America’s Cup are:

ALINGHI – actual defender
Société Nautique de Genève – SUI

BMW ORACLE RACING
Golden Gate Yacht Club – USA

+39 CHALLENGE
Circolo Vela Gargnano – ITA

TEAM SHOSHOLOZA
Royal Cape Yacht Club – RSA

EMIRATES TEAM NEW ZEALAND
Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron – NZL

LUNA ROSSA CHALLENGE
Yacht Club Italiano – ITA

AREVA CHALLENGE
Cercle de la Voile de Paris – FRA

VICTORY CHALLENGE
Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap – Stockholm – SWE

DESAFÍO ESPAÑOL 2007
Real Federación Española de Vela – ESP

MASCALZONE LATINO – CAPITALIA TEAM
Reale Yacht Club Canottieri Savoia – ITA

UNITED INTERNET TEAM GERMANY
Deutscher Challenger Yacht Club – GER

CHINA TEAM
Qingdao International Yacht Club – CHN

Top skippers, sailors, yacht designers, nautical engineers..: hundreds of people with a common goal: to win the America’s Cup.

Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, ruler of Ras al-Khaimah, expressed his satisfaction for the choice of his emirate to host the America’s Cup: “It is a great moment for us to host the America’s Cup here. It is significant because it reflects how the Emirates have become a place for hosting international events.”

In order to host teams, sponsors, media, public, facilities, a 22-hectare purpose-built island inside Al Hamra Village lagoon has been built.