And from Valencia

We've already had stories from Monaco and San Diego today. Now, the latest from Valencia...

BMW ORACLE Racing optimistic following meeting

with Spanish officials and SNG/Alinghi

The Challenger for the 33rd America's Cup, Golden Gate Yacht Club and their team BMW ORACLE Racing, along with the Defender, Alinghi, met with government officials in Valencia on Thursday to kick-off plans for staging the event in the waters of Valencia in February.

Representatives from the city, including Mayoress Rita Barberá, along with senior officials from the regional and national governments, were on hand to begin making plans for all aspects of hosting the event, which is scheduled to start on February 8, 2010.

(Photo from Pierre Orphandis / www.valenciasailing.com)

BMW ORACLE Racing was represented by Grant Davidson (NZL), Tom Ehman (USA), Joaquin Maldanado (ESP), Pablo Mataix (ESP) and Ruiz de Elvira (ESP).

"With the America's Cup Match now less than two months away, we're happy that today, for the first time, the key parties were in the same room discussing what needs to be done to make this a successful event," said Tom Ehman, GGYC spokesman and head of external affairs for BMW ORACLE Racing.

"The discussions were fruitful, we made real progress, and I am optimistic we are on the right track. The February date is fast approaching, but we all want the same thing -- to make this an event worthy of the America's Cup. We all agree that there is a lot of work to do in a very short time. But with Valencia's experience from the 2007 event and working together we can do it.

"We agreed that a number of working parties will be immediately formed, with the relevant people from the Spanish authorities and each of the teams, to tackle the important tasks that need to be completed over the next eight weeks," Ehman said.