Coutts to inspect yachting facilities

The challenge period for the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 officially opened on January 27, with race organisers saying the first from a series of pre-race yachting regattas could be staged as early as September this year.

For the first time in its history, the America's Cup is being sailed in the Mediterranean.

Initially, various locations (Malta included) applied to stage this prestigious event and after a thorough and exciting scrutinising exercise, the list of possibilities went down to four. Then, in November 2003, the Spanish city of Valencia was declared 'host city' for the 2007 edition.

The Societe Nautique de Geneve (SNG), responsible for the current holders of the award, Team Alinghi, are planning a series of pre-regattas in our region scheduled for next year and in 2006.

Fact-finding mission

Russell Coutts, three-times America's Cup winner, has recently confirmed his visit to Malta on April 1 for a short stay.

This will be a unique opportunity for a fact-finding mission to assess the possibility for staging one of the pre-regattas in Malta.

During the short exploratory tour Coutts, considered an America's Cup legend, will be visiting our harbours, marinas and other facilities. He will meet government representatives and Royal Malta Yacht Club officials.

Local organisers will also provide an 'aerial view' of Malta, in a way to assess our seas as a potential America's Cup sailing zone. It is also being proposed for Coutts to hold an informal meeting with a number of local businessmen, in an effort to enhance the possibility of materialising such event in Malta, a unique occasion.

The Louis Vuitton Cup challenger series begins in April 2007, followed by the America's Cup match which is scheduled to start in June 2007.

Would-be contenders have until the end of the year to confirm their interest in contesting for the 'Auld Mug' in three years' time.

The America's Cup is regarded as the very pinnacle of the sport of sailing and one of the top sports and socio-cultural manifestations in the world today.