The Route des Princes fleet is now moored around the Veles e Vents building in Valencia’s Marina Real Juan Carlos. The more I visit the race village the more I’m surprised with the concept of artichoke and orange juice producers sponsoring a major European regatta. Not that it shouldn’t be done, on the contrary it’s encouraging to see companies from sectors that aren’t considered “traditional” sponsors, funding sailing events. Is it the French exception though? Will other European groups follow suit? Time will tell but for the moment at least we can rejoice we have three days of exciting races ahead.
We might sound repetitive, but the sight of four MOD70′s and a 80-foot trimaran moored right in the middle of an urban marina, a few meters from each other, makes us wonder what on earth Russell Coutts, the Golden Gate Yacht Club and Larry Ellison were thinking three years ago when they decided the AC72 was the best boat for the America’s Cup. Any high-tech catamaran or trimaran, between 70 and 85 feet would have provided the same excitement, the same spectacle at a fraction of the cost and logistical nightmare. Even if boat speed weren’t as high as in the AC72′s, the difference would be too small to be perceived by the general public…
The 80-foot trimaran Prince de Bretagne moored in front of the Veles e Vents building. Valencia, 4 June 2013. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / www.vsail.info
The PAPREC Virbac MOD 70 moored in front of the Veles e Vents building. Valencia, 4 June 2013. Photo copyright Pierre Orphanidis / www.vsail.info