Extraordinary VenueBernie Wilson in Stuff.Co.NZ comments on the UAE location for the America’s Cup in February 2009:
“Everything leading up to the 33rd America's Cup has been unconventional and surprising, so it figures that the venue might as well be extraordinary, too.”
Wilson and others have remarked on history being made as the America’s Cup will for the first time be decided in the Middle East.
The UAE location is seen by many as ‘extraordinary’ perhaps referring to the nation’s reputation for world records and eye catching events. ‘Extraordinary’ is the operative word when compared with the historic and ‘stodgy’ America’s Cup.
Golf, Tennis, Sailing
Brad Butterworth of Alinghi spoke of the UAE’s growing reputation as a sporting host when he made this statement about his team’s time in Dubai prior to the 2007 America's Cup:
“It was a real eye-opener for me. We went and watched Tiger (Woods) play in the Desert Classic there and Roger Federer played there that time of the year, so there's a lot of sport going on in that area. I think eventually a regatta was going to happen there one way or the other.”
Link
Bernie Wilson, Stodgy America’s Cup Defence in Persian Gulf, Stuff.Com.NZ, 6 August 2009.
Dr Geoff Pound
Geoff can be contacted by email at geoffpound(at)gmail.com on Facebook and Twitter.
Image: Brad Butterworth of Alinghi.
