Valencia gears up for 2008 sporting events

After successfully hosting the 32nd America’s Cup and being confirmed as the host of the sailing tournament’s next edition, the Region of Valencia is now getting ready to host several other major international sporting events in 2008, consolidating as a great sporting destination.

Make sure you put the following in your diary and book early to avoid disappointment!

Athletics World Indoor Championships, Valencia, 7-9 March
The world’s athletics elite will gather at the Palau Velodromo Luis Puig in Valencia, one of the best facilities for indoor athletics in the world, for the World Indoor Championships in March. Visitors will be able to cheer their favourite athletes at the venue – which has capacity for 6,000 people – or on screens at bars around the city. At the same time, they will also be able to feel Valencia’s vibrant atmosphere as it prepares for its biggest annual festival, Las Fallas, starting just a few days after the Athletics Championship.

Formula 1 European Grand Prix, Valencia, 24 August 2008
The glamour of Formula 1 will arrive in Valencia next summer as the city, a brand new addition to the Formula 1 calendar, hosts the first European Grand Prix on 24 August. The race will run on an urban circuit along Valencia’s seafront, by the spectacular buildings of the Port America’s Cup, the new leisure area and marina developed for the 2007 sailing tournament. Around 150,000 people will be able to follow the race from the stands that will be set along the streets.

Volvo Ocean Race, Alicante, 4-11 October 2008
The world’s premier offshore yachting event will start in Alicante next October – the first time it starts from a Mediterranean port. Visitors will be able to catch the spectacle of fleet racing in the waters around the port of Alicante at the first in-port race on 4 October. Then, on 11 October, the participating yachts will start the challenging 39,000-mile round the world race, which will take them to ports in South Africa, Saudi Arabia China and Ireland, finishing in St Petersburg in July 2009.

Motorcycle Grand Prix, Cheste, 26 October 2008
As in previous years, thousands of motorcycling fans will gather at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Cheste (about an hour inland from Valencia) for the MotoGP on 26 October 2008. This has become a well established event in the motorcycling calendar, attracting more and more enthusiasts every year, who usually combine a day at the races with a fun weekend break in Valencia.

Preparing for the 33rd America’s Cup
As more and more challengers to the 32nd America’s Cup winner, the Swiss Alinghi team, are confirmed (including the British TEAMORIGIN headed by Ben Ainslie), preparations for the next tournament are well on their way. Details of all participants and the calendar of preliminary regattas for the 33rd America’s Cup will be confirmed over the next few months. For more details visit Americascup.com.

For more information on what’s on and what to do in the Valencia Region go to Comunitatvalenciana.com.