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America's Cup Sails to Persian Gulf

Defending champions choose UAE site for 'perfect weather'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 5, 2009 10:28 AM CDT

(Newser) – February’s America’s Cup will be held in the United Arab Emirates for the first time, the defending champs, who get to choose, announced yesterday. The decision marks the Middle East’s continued growth as an international sports mecca, the Wall Street Journal notes. Ras al-Khaimah in the southern Persian Gulf “offers perfect weather and great sailing conditions for a match in February,” said an official from team Alinghi's yacht club.

An insider says Alinghi believes the mild weather in the area will work in its favor as it faces the BMW Oracle team, owned by software guru Larry Ellison. The teams will race what are likely the fastest vessels in America’s Cup history after rules that have kept boats looking alike were ditched. “These new multi-hulls are totally wild,” says Alinghi’s skipper. “It’s going to be something totally different.”

The planned America's Cup Island at Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
The planned America's Cup Island at Al Hamra Village in Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.   (AP Photo/Keystone, AC Management)
Alinghi team owner Ernesto Bertarelli, left, and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey hoist a Swiss flag on Alinghi's new catamaran following a boat parade on Lake Geneva Aug. 1, 2009.
Alinghi team owner Ernesto Bertarelli, left, and Swiss Foreign Minister Micheline Calmy-Rey hoist a Swiss flag on Alinghi's new catamaran following a boat parade on Lake Geneva Aug. 1, 2009.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Salvatore Di Nolfi)
In this undated photo provided by Alinghi, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, Al Hamra Fort Hotel is seen in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
In this undated photo provided by Alinghi, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2009, Al Hamra Fort Hotel is seen in Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Alinghi/Carlo Borlenghi)
Hamra Island at Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.
Hamra Island at Ras al-Khaimah, United Arab Emirates.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Alinghi/Carlo Borlenghi)
BMW Oracle Racing's 90-foot Trimaran during the craft's first sea trials Monday, Sept. 1, 2008 on Puget Sound, Wash.
BMW Oracle Racing's 90-foot Trimaran during the craft's first sea trials Monday, Sept. 1, 2008 on Puget Sound, Wash.   (AP Photo/Gilles Martin-Raget)
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