The arrival of the America's Cup World Series is an opportunity to revive the seafaring tradition of the city and to reaffirm the Venetian's love for sailing.Racing takes place from May 15 to 20 and is part of a festival of sailing over nine days from May 12 to 20.
In this occasion the Arsenale opens to the public from 10 am to 8 pm.

Here we are with Interview with  Alberto Sonino, Mayor's Director for the America's Cup

Good morning  We're with the Mayor's Head Councillor/ Executive Coucillor/Director for the America's Cup,   Mr. Alberto Sonino.
Good morning, Mr. Sonino

Good morning to you

Q.The first thing we'd like to ask is:  who's Alberto Sonino?

A.It's hard to say, anyways a Venetian, an expertise sailor since about a decade.  I have lived and accomplished my studies in Venice, not considering the sports interval making me wander throughout the world, engaged in several sailing competitions, at first with the Olympic classes, later aboard the Giovanni Soldini trimaran and the oceanic boat racing/competition.
I am currently working on the Certosa Island restoration and redevelopment for what's to be the Urban Park, a partnership plan between my company's and the Town Council.

Q.What does the American Cup mean to Venice?

A. The America's Cup means history foremost linked to the "Moro" of Venice successes of the '90s. Not only did it participate to the America's Cup like other Italian sailboats had done, such as the "Azzurra" or the "Italia" but also it accomplished the sole result of winning the Louis Vuitton Cup; in other words, the best America's Cup '92 challenger.  It's also worth noting that the "Moro" of Venice was built within the area, to be specific in Marghera, therefore a significant industrial, research, technology implication. So, at the time being, America's Cup represents a little bit of history to Venice, it now means America's Cup World Series, that is, an international circuit that travels worldwide with crews, teams and America's Cup, it means  preparation to the classic Louis Vuitton Cup and America's Cup to be held in San Francisco in 2013.

Q. The fulcrums of the event are Lido, the Arsenale, the San Marco Basin.  Can you tell us about it?

A. Yes, gladly. America's Cup in Venice uses existing facilities; it's the city's trait candidacy to such a big event so, needless of infrastructures impacting on the city itself.
Nothing is to be built but to enhance what already exists, often paying attention to those areas of the city not exploited that the Administration intends to enhance and, firstly the Arsenale.  For this reason the so-called team bases of the nine participating teams will be set up at the Arsenale specifically at the dry docks thanks to the CAV company's concession, the event village also will be hosted with boats moored at the Venice Arsenale Darsena Grande.   A sort of a marine cradle and the nautical tradition, of manufacture, business and trade of the Venice Serenissima that somehow, retrieving its natural vocation, opens all its areas to the public, including the Marine Militare (Navy) ones extraordinarily granted for this short period.  Lastly, the Lido.  
The Lido, along with  the Nicelli airport will host the technical functions and the television production/broadcast, thanks to the feasible use of helicopters.  From the beach and the San Nicolò seawall/dam viewers can also enjoy the competition.


Q. How many teams will be taking part to the competition and where do they come from?

A.Nine teams coming from all over the world will be taking part, specifically from:  China, Korea, United States, the so called Oracle Defender is an American team, a Swedish, a Spanish, two French (two) teams and, tomorrow on the 4th of April, the sole Italian team Luna Rossa will be presented to the public.

Q. How will the event's days be held

A. The event will occur from May 12th to 20th, the regattas/competitions will mostly take place strictly from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. differing from other sailing regattas/sailing competitions which timing is based on the weather conditions.  A precise program/schedule will be broadcasted on television. 
On the first weekend, sailing will be held in Lido at sea, an extraordinary regatta at sea that will begin on Sunday ending at the San Marco Basin. Training and preparation is on Monday and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday once again, at sea, there will be both race match and fleet regattas.  From Friday 18th to Sunday 20th the regattas/competitions are going to be concentrated at the San Marco Basin closing the final race match, the one to one challenge, on Saturday afternoon the final fleet regatta and Sunday around 12 p.m.

Q.Which are the collateral events scheduled?

A. The events are many and I may say that the program will shortly be announced. It hasn't yet willingly been revealed, accordingly to the strict America's Cup Event Authorities' outlines. Technological twinning is foreseen between America's Cup catamarans and the rowing associations' traditional boats alike the Vela al Terzo Association the traditional sails aspects goes concerning in fact traditional lagoon sailing.  Some evening parties and events are scheduled at the Arsenale and every team will organize its own gala nights.  The event's peak will be on Saturday 19th along with the official gala dinner

Q. Could the America's Cup in the city revive the Venice Moro splendor?
Reconstruction of a Venetian vesselis still a dream or is it possible?

A. I believe that a vessel a team, a challenge, a so-called unification is to be a correlated project but also one that differs from just the hosting of the event
The event altogether certainly increases the odds for Venice to create a local or national team on the basis of the city's context and prominence.  These stages are to be processed a little at a time, it's good to create expectation, aficionados, interest and the augmentation of yachtsmen, drawing the sponsors' business awareness and, to this effect create a unification project supported by just one person or by a leading company.
From this point of view I think that Venice can still count on the foundation of a local team but, conditions need to be arranged along the way.  The America's World Cup Series is to be held this year and next year, I think that both events significantly sum up the chances of getting a local team as there was, back in the '90s, with the Moro of Venice.


Thank you Mr. Sonino and good luck

Thanks to you


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