If you want to watch the dramatic unfold of the battle for the 33rd America's Cup in February we have just the yacht for you! Have a look on our website to see the lovely Sheleila who will be based in the Dubai area.It will be quite spectacular to see the two enormous multihulls fighting on the water. It might not be what you expect from America's Cup racing but rest assured it will be the event where you need to be early February next year! Book now not to miss out on this highly anticipated and much discussed event!

Also if you are planning your winter holidays in the Caribbean, please book now as the bookings are coming in at a regular basis and if you want the yacht you are after, you better book now and not miss out!

Have a look on our website to see some good offers and get some cruising ideas. And don't hesitate to contact me This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for a personalised offer for your next dream holiday!

Gertrud

Below the press release from Alinghi with regards to the venue of the 33rd America's Cup.

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Geneva, Switzerland - (2009-08-05)

The America's Cup Defender, Alinghi, and its yacht club, the Société Nautique de Genève, today announced the venue for the 33rd America's Cup in February 2010.

“We are pleased to announce that Ras al-Khaimah, in the United Arab Emirates, will be the Host Country for the 33rd America's Cup,” said Fred Meyer, Vice-Commodore of the Société Nautique de Genève (SNG). “This is a venue that offers perfect weather and great sailing conditions for a Match in February; the authorities have shown tremendous interest in, and support for hosting the America's Cup; and the country has experience in organising first-class sporting events such as ATP tennis, PGA golf and Formula One. They will make a purpose-built island available at the Al Hamra Village in Ras al-Khaimah to provide the America's Cup teams, sponsors and fans with an outstanding venue.”

Having won the 32nd America's Cup in 2007 in Valencia with its yacht racing team, Alinghi, the SNG is granted the right to choose the venue for the next America's Cup which is scheduled to start on 8 February 2010.

“Our absolute priorities in making this decision are the prevailing weather conditions and the resulting safety that they bring to both teams,” explains Alinghi skipper Brad Butterworth. “We looked everywhere for a venue that suited having good racing for the Match dates in February. We had trained in the UAE in the winter with Alinghi before and in the end we settled on Ras al-Khaimah in particular because of the infrastructure in Al Hamra Village and because it has a great building sea breeze during the day, similar to Mediterranean conditions in the summer, making it good for these boats and safe for all concerned.”

His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras al-Khaimah, expresses his satisfaction: “It is a great moment for us to host the America's Cup here. It is significant because it reflects how the Emirates have become a place for hosting international events. It is a reflection on what we have achieved in terms of becoming the destination for tourists and trade and industry and is a reflection of our integration in the world at large. This announcement reflects the nature of our country and its aim of becoming host to many nationalities who live side by side in peace. It is a hope and dream that this is the kind of space that we want to have on our globe. It is a great moment for us to host this prestigious event and to welcome all the sports people to the UAE and to Ras al-Khaimah to watch this great event; we are looking forward to its success.”

Background information on the 33rd America's Cup venue

» RAS AL-KHAIMAH
Ras al-Khaimah literally means ‘the top of the tent' in Arabic. One of the seven emirates in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it covers an area of 656 square miles (1,700km2) and borders on Oman, situated in the southern part of the Persian Gulf. The emirate has a population of approx 300,000 and is ruled by HH Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammad Al Qasimi. The Deputy Ruler is Crown Prince HH Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi. The capital city of Ras al-Khaimah is located 45 minutes from Dubai airport and is also served by the Ras al-Khaimah International airport.

» THE VENUE
A 22-hectare purpose-built island inside the Al Hamra Village lagoon will host the team bases and all the necessary facilities for the media, the sponsors and the public. The Al Hamra Village is a new luxury resort with more than 3,500 residences on the coast of Ras al-Khaimah.

» INTERNATIONAL EVENTS IN UAE
- Motorsport: Formula-1 in Abu Dhabi since 2009 (Hamilton, Alonso, Schumacher…)
- Golf: PGA in Dubai since 1989 and Abu Dhabi since 2006 (Woods, Els, Montgomery, García…); Tiger Woods has designed his first golf course in Dubai
- Tennis: ATP in Dubai since 1993 (Federer, Nadal, Murray, Roddick, Agassi…) and WTA in Dubai since 2001 (Williams, Hingis, Davenport…)
- Sailing: RC44 in Dubai since 2007 (Coutts, Spithill, Barker, Col…) and Alinghi winter training in Dubai in 2006/7
- Football: FIFA Club World Cup in Abu Dhabi in 2009 (FC Barcelona, Estudiantes, Auckland City…)
- Guggenheim Museum in Abu Dhabi (completion expected in 2011)
- New York Philharmonic Orchestra in Abu Dhabi in 2009

» INTERNATIONAL ACADEMIC INITIATIVES IN UAE
- École Polytéchnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) is creating a new University campus in Ras al-Khaimah
- Harvard Medical School Dubai Centre was launched in 2004 through a joint effort by Harvard Medical and Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC) to develop an academic centre for health care delivery, medical education, and research

» INTERNATIONAL COMPANIES PRESENT IN UAE
- ABN-Amro
- Barclays
- BNP Paribas
- Citibank
- Credit Agricole Indosuez
- HSBC
- Lloyds TSB
- Standard Chartered Bank
- IBM
- GE
- UPS
- AT&T
- Pepsi
- FedEx
- GM
- HP
- Boeing
- Kellogg's
- Philip Morris
- MasterCard
- Oracle
- BMW

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Gertrud

Arrive at Olbia airport and transfer to your yacht. Most transfers on Sardinia won’t take longer the 45 minutes. Get settled, explore your new destination, top up the provisions and relax.

The "Gallura-region" became known thanks to the Costa Smeralda and its emerald-green sea. But furthermore is characterised by bizarre granite rock formations, chiselled by the wind, antique cork oak forests, Vermentino wineries and the culinary speciality Zuppa Gallurese.

After a good night sleep have a short sail to the “Maddalenas” a group of islands of the north eastern coast of Sardinia. The Archipelago of Maddalena puts up the national Park of the same name, constituted in 1996 for the protection of fauna and flora. La Maddalena is the only island of the archipelago that presents a steady urban settlement. Around the island you can visit the small beautiful beaches as Monti d'Arena, beach of Bassa Trinità or of the Giardinelli Island.

Getting more relaxed and totally settled on your charter yacht its time to leave again. Leaving the Maddalena and passing through the breakwater of Passo della Moneta that joins the islands you can reach the Island of Caprera (l'Isola di Caprera). This island was partially acquired by Giuseppe Garibaldi who has lived there and died in 1882, a hundred years later the natural reserve was established and united to the National Park of Archipelago of Maddalena.

It's time to cross the Strait of Bonifacio to Corsica and sail up the East Coast to Porto Vecchio. The untouched beaches of Porto Vecchio are surrounded by wild perfumed maquis and backed by umbrella pines. This chic cosmopolitan resort, and number one tourist town, has as its backdrop the spearing needles of the Col de Bavella. From its shadows arise the fortress of the quaint old town with its designer shops and restaurant terraces.

After spending a night in beautful Porto Vecchio it's suggested to sail south to the Iles Lavezzi and be amazed by the rock formations. Many sailors have broken their ship on these terrible stumbling blocks, the sea cementary of Furcone and of the Archiarino are the silent proof. During the wreck of The Semillante in 1855, 750 men died. Since that the Lighthouse of Lavezzi watches over this strait and these magnificent isles of granite.

From Lavezzi it is just a short hop around the corner to the magnificent Bonifacio. Get in early to secure a berth for the night. The entrance is spectacular and cannot be missed! The city itself is a bustling tourist town with plenty souvenir shops and restaurants. You can walk to the tip of the island and see Sardinia across the water.

From Bonifacio it is a approx. 100Nm sail up the westcoast of Corsica to Calvi on the Nothern tip and then ¨bay-hop¨back south. Or stop overnight in Ajaccio the main city on Corsica and worth a visit and a dinner. And do not forget to visit the fruit and fish market in the morning.

Spend some time in Calvi on the northern tip. The home town of the French Foreign Legion, you will see many of these infamous men around town.

The Citadel is the main part of town. It was a military outpost in the 15th century that helped guard the city against international attacks. It sits high above the port, towering over the sea. There are many brick walls, tunnels, and long, winding stairways in this area, as well as plenty of narrow walkways tucked between quaint old houses.

Set sail early to the lovely bay of Girolata. Accesible by yacht or a very long walk through the country side. Be early and make reservations in one of the restaurants overlooking the bay. If it gets too crowded move before sunset to Sagone.

From either Girolata or Sagone it is a great daysail back to Bonifacio. Stop for an afternoon swim and explore at the Isles Sanguinaires just off Ajaccio. The islands are a designated reserve for sea birds and other wild life.

From Bonifacio it is just a hop back to Italy and spend a night in Pto Rotondo, worth a visit and a dinner ashore with dazzling Italian atmosphere.

Time to pull the anchor and set sail to Portisco, have a last swim, snorkel and sunbath before you start packing your bags full of fabulous memories.

We hope you've enjoyed your little tour around Corsica and Sardinia on your superyacht.

We still have amazing yachts available for early August in this magic destination!