33rd AC

29.01.2010 (19:25 CET) - Valencia, Spain - Alinghi

The America’s Cup trophy arrives at the Alinghi base in Valencia

Sport’s oldest active trophy arrives at the Alinghi base, the America’s Cup Defender’s home, in Valencia

From left to right: Ricardo Peralta, Spanish government delegate; Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi team president; Alec Tournier, SNG general secretary; Rita Barberá, the mayoress of Valencia and Vicente Rambla, vice president Valencia regional government

(Photo credit: Alinghi)

The sterling silver ewer once known as the ‘£100 Cup’ and named the ‘America’s Cup’ after America, the yacht of the same country that fought off the British fleet around the Isle of Wight in 1851, is the most sought after trophy in the sport of sailing.

It has resided at the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG) in Switzerland since 2003 when the representing team, Alinghi – a first time challenger – wrestled it from the two-time winner, Team New Zealand, and returned it to Europe for the first time since the original race.

Alinghi successfully defended the America’s Cup for SNG in 2007 securing the trophy’s Swiss residency until today when the Cup arrived at the Defender’s base in Port America’s Cup, Valencia, where it will be exhibited to the public in the house of the America’s Cup at the Alinghi base.

On site to welcome the trophy’s arrival were Ernesto Bertarelli, Alinghi team president, who had just completed a day’s race training on Alinghi 5; Rita Barberá, the Mayoress of Valencia; Ricardo Peralta, Spanish government delegate and Vicente Rambla, vice president Valencia regional government.

“It is fantastic to see the Cup back in Valencia and in its home at the Alinghi base; I very much hope that visitors will enjoy the America’s Cup during its stay,” said Ernesto Bertarelli, team president.

Rita Barberá invited the public to come and see the America’s Cup at the Alinghi base and said: “I feel very touched to see the Auld Mug again. It’s back home! This is going to be a unique edition of the Cup. Common sense has prevailed. This America’s Cup has to be decided on the water. The 8 February is round the corner and there is going to be an event!”

Alinghi is hosting a Public Open Day on Sunday 31 January from 09:00-18:00 – All are welcome!

America’s Cup visiting times are: 11:00-18:00 seven days a week