| Spain. 5000 Millas Desafío Atlántico: New transatlantic regatta takes in Morocco, Uruguay, Argentina |
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| Friday, 27 October 2006 | |
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Cristina Pauli: A new transatlantic regatta joins the nautical events that will make of Spain the focus of attention of world sailing in 2007. It is the 5000 Millas – Desafío Atlántico, the first Spanish regatta heading towards the South Atlantic. With its start in approximately one year, on 17 November 2007, the departure point of the competition will be Sotogrande, in Cadiz (South of Spain), with following stops in Casablanca (Morocco) and Punta del Este (Uruguay) and ending in Buenos Aires (Argentina). With starting date in 2007, the 5000 Millas – Desafío Atlántico will be part of a key year for Spanish sailing. Spain will become the focus of attention of world sailing with the celebration of the America’s Cup in Valencia and the start of the Barcelona World Race from the Catalan capital, a week before the start of the 5000 Millas. Furthermore, the Volvo Ocean Race had its start in Galicia a year ago and it will be the turn for Alicante in 2008. A most sweet moment to which the 5000 Millas regatta contributes with strength. That is why Spain has been chosen the nation for the start of this transatlantic adventure that will take competitors from the doorstep of the famous Costa del Sol to the Alisios winds of the Southern Hemisphere. One ocean, three continents, four nations and 5,000 miles of adventure to be sailed and enjoyed come together. In fact, it is an event that combines the adventure and challenge elements of oceanic sailing with the multicultural attractions of a regatta with stops that crosses the Equator. This is a most important feature as it is a regatta that does not only join together three continents but also three absolutely different cultures: European, Muslim and South American. Six boats have already registered for the 5000 Millas, more than a year ahead of the start: three from Argentina, one representative from Spain, one from Italy and one from Great Britain. These statistics are a clear example of the international character of this new transatlantic regatta. On the Mediterranean shore, sea of culture and history, with a pleasant, sunny climate and the African continent one step away, Sotogrande, in the South of Spain, is the ideal starting point of this great transatlantic adventure. Its sports port, the Real Club Marítimo de Sotogrande, is a growing venue of nautical sports related events. With over 300 berths and complete infrastructures, it is a first class port perfect to give the start to this challenge, not only for its services but also for its location in one of the most important leisure centres in Spain, a magnificent venue to approach the flavours of Spanish culture to competitors of the regatta. Conceived for classes IRC, Open and Catamarans, this great Desafío Atlántico is open to a wide variety of boats. Its aim to reach the general public distinguishes this regatta from many other oceanic events that, limiting the participating classes, become restricted events addressed to the same crews. On the contrary, the 5000 Millas regatta intends to approach oceanic sailing to the general public and offer the possibility to many sailors to make their dream come true, that of crossing the “ocean”. The 5000 Millas – Desafío Atlántico will use the boat positioning system Satlink to follow the fleet, which will be compulsory for all boats. In this way, those interested in the event will be able to follow the competition in real time through the regatta official website (www.5000millas.com). The 5000 Millas – Desafío Atlántico will be presented on 9 November, at four in the afternoon in the Espai del Mar at the Barcelona International Boat Show. The 5000 Millas regatta is organised by a company with the same name and created for this purpose. Governments, Tourism ministries, embassies, navies, city councils, federations and yacht clubs of the four nations involved have given full support to the project. |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 27 October 2006 ) |
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