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The America's Cup 2007
Valencia, setting sail
In 2003, Valencia was named the venue of the 32nd America's Cup, the world's third leading sports event after the Olympics and the World Cup. Since then, the city has undergone a steady growth in urban development and facilities, carrying out an extensive plan of improvements and changes. It is estimated that its new port will receive more than 600,000 spectators at the event.
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The constant urban growth, the wide-ranging and varied leisure offer, and cutting-edge technology that distinguish Valencia were key factors in its ousting of another 60 candidate cities, such as Lisbon , Marseilles or Naples . Since then, Consorcio Valencia 2007, comprising the three regional public administrations (City Council, Comunidad Valenciana and the General State Government) has continued with its ambitious urban remodelling plan to host an event which is expected to generate an overall economic impact of more than 1,500 million euros, and create over 10,000 jobs. For the moment, the authorities have manifested this commitment with a deadline for 150 different improvements and updates, namely forest planning or the signposting of the dock.
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In recent years, Valencia has undergone spiralling urban changes, mainly in the area of Avenida de las Cortes Valencianas, at the north-west exit of the city, and Avenida de Francia, rounding off a vast offer of green and sports areas. This development combines the work to its Port with other updates for the future meeting, in which improvements to communications infrastructures are particularly noteworthy, namely the extension of the Underground lines, construction of a second runway at Manises airport, creation of a north roundabout, roads to the port - and creation of an urban area named Balcón al Mar. The city's hotel offer has also been boosted over the past few years, and by 2007 the tourism sector is expected to provide more than twelve thousand beds. However, it won't all be sport in Valencia . National and foreign tourists watching the America 's Cup will also be able to visit, besides the city beaches, one of Europe 's top cultural and leisure centres: the City of Arts and Science, which has become a city emblem.
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The America 's cup confirms Valencia 's ability and experience in housing big sports events, as did the Queen's Cup sailing trophy held on Valencia 's beaches three years ago. The Motorcycling Grand Prix, taking place on the Ricardo Tormo de Cheste circuit until 2011, plus the new football stadium, to be inaugurated in 2008 in one of the city's newest areas, are other activities that highlight the city's leading role in receiving these types of events.
A top competition port
 Consorcio Valencia 2007 is working on the Remodelling Plan of Valencia Port's Inner Dock to equip it with the necessary facilities, security and logistic technology that will make its waters the perfect setting for the top sailing competition. Based on the principles of sustainable architecture and the use of non-contaminating materials and methods, the plan involves actions to meet the needs of people with reduced mobility and a re-design that will reclaim a 425,000 square metre area from the sea. The project includes the construction of a canal which will divide Levante Dock and connect the Port's inner dock with Malvarrosa beach in the spring of 2006. The new seaway, 80 metres wide and about 600 metres long, will allow vessels participating in the competition to get to the race area in just 15 minutes. The area will also enable the diversion of the usual port traffic, separating it from the competition, and there will be new leisure areas, for example the Foredeck or owner's club, located on the side of the current Fish Market, and the AC park, a cultural and leisure facility of approximately 107,000 m2 and holding 20,000 people. From both zones, spectators will be able to comfortably observe the transit of the colourful race boats.
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