Following the elimination of several candidates for the possible venues for the 2007 Americas Cup/Louis Vuitton challenge, Palma remains as one of the stronger candidates for this prestigious event.
The possible venues have now been declared as Palma, Valencia, Marseille, Lisbon and Naples.
Despite the fact that Russell Couts, Alinghi´s skipper has publicly stated that his choice would be Naples, Palma has been tipped by ´insiders´ as the hot favourite as winner.
Following a 36 page document submitted via the Real Club Nautico Palma, the recent whistle stop trip by the Balearics president elect, Matas and the new mayor of Palma, Crier (despite their other pressing engagements) to Geneva to pledge their support for the event is a clear indication of the effort being put behind the bid for candidature.
Perhaps politics should not be involved in sports but it must be noted that now both Mallorca and Spain are now under the control of the same party and therefore support, both politically and financially is unlikely to be lacking.
The Royal family’s affinity to Mallorca will also, no doubt, be part of the final equation.
The proposals submitted to the event´s organisers, ´AC Management´ included a breakdown of resources, both natural and in terms of marine and accommodation infrastructure plus a plan to redevelop 133,173 square metres of the commercial quay in Palma to accommodate the ´racing village´. (SEE ABOVE)
The final decision of the venue is to be the 15th December.