Team Alinghi won the America's Cup in Auckland last March
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America's Cup organisers have named Valencia as the 2007 venue for sailing's oldest trophy.
The Spanish city beat competition from the Atlantic port of Lisbon, Portugal, and the Mediterranean ports of Marseille, France, and Naples, Italy.
The announcement was made in Geneva, home of Swiss champions Alinghi.
As Switzerland is landlocked, it was impossible for a traditional home defence, but the Swiss are determined to bring their culture to the race.
Team Alinghi, bankrolled by bio-technology billionaire Ernesto Bertarelli, beat holders Team New Zealand for the 150-year-old Cup in Auckland earlier this year.
And AC boss Michel Bonnefous said: "The Swiss influence will be felt, even if our country is used to showing itself in a thoughtful and discreet manner.
"We're Swiss and we're organising it."
Valencia bid chief Jose Salinas said: "We have been working flat-out to host the best sporting event
in the world.
"We thank the decision by the organisers and we hope we will
stand up to this big challenge."
A new format will have preliminary regattas being raced in the
Mediterranean off Valencia from September 2004 and carrying on
mainly in Europe but also in the United States in 2005.
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MMIX
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