Barcelona’s Mayor Ada Colau spoke of “very good news” for the city’s economy and reputation. Barcelona, which hosted the 1992 Summer Olympics, will be the venue for the 37th edition of the sailing classic.
Actually, the current holders of the America’s Cup, Emirates Team New Zealand, together with the defending club Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, would have the right under the regulations to defend the trophy in their own waters against challengers. However, there was no agreement with the politicians on the financing and therefore the decision for an overseas venue. Málaga in southern Spain, Cork in Ireland and Jeddah in Saudi Arabia were also named as competitors.
Previously, in the 170-year history of the sailing classic, only Switzerland had gone this route. In 2007, the Confederates had to relinquish the home advantage laid down in the foundation charter of 1852 because, as a nation surrounded by land, they did not have a suitable area with access to the sea. The 32nd America’s Cup therefore took place in Valencia south of Barcelona.
Source: dpa