16/07/2013 00:00
TW
0

MAJORCA'S bid to hold the America's Cup yacht race in 2007 has passed the first phase and the island's bid is one of the five being considered. However, on July 31, Majorca will face yet another important challenge. While the Palma organising committee pushes ahead with its bid to land the sailing regatta, the Bulletin, which is officially backing Majorca's bid and providing all the support it can over the next few months in the run up to December 15 when the final decision will be made, also needs the full support of the general public in Majorca. In the meantime however, at the end of the month, the Palma committee will have to complete its answers to a questionnaire drawn up by the Swiss race selection committee. The America's Cup is one of the world's biggest and most prestigious sporting events and would really put Majorca on the international sailing map. Hosting the yacht race will also involve the construction of an America's Cup village of some 1.000 flats for the organisers and the families of the competitors, creating jobs and also a great deal of wealth for the local economy. The event itself is a two-year affair, with qualifying events, training and boat building leading up to the main race which attracts global coverage and tens of thousands of spectators from all over the world. In order to help Palma win its bid, public support is vital and through your e-mail, faxes and letters of support for the bid to the Bulletin the selection committee will be able to see just how much Majorca wants to host the America's Cup and how very welcome the crews, competitors and spectators will be on the island. The Palma bid is still being fully developed, so any ideas and suggestions will also be welcomed by local organisers.