RAK still confident of America's Cup bid

There is still a chance the America’s Cup will take place in Ras Al Khaimah next year, management at local hotel group Hamra Hotels & Resorts has claimed.

“It’s not over yet - there is an appeal [against the ruling] and the Alinghi team is still in RAK,” member of the board Michael El Nayal told hoteliermiddleeast.com.

“Of course, the impact [of possibly losing the race] is still there, but if it goes next year (February 2010), it could come back the year after.

“Alinghi is very positive about RAK – the team loves the winds and the sailing conditions are brilliant.”

Last month a New York judge ruled that the 33rd edition of the America's Cup - yachting's most prestigious race – could not be held in the UAE because yachting rules dictate that winter races must be held in the southern hemisphere.

Even though the judge cited rules dating back to 1887 that would force the race into the southern hemisphere, it could still be held north of the equator because under a previous ruling neither side objected to holding the race in Valencia, Spain in 2007.

The Swiss Alinghi team, which has set up its base in RAK at the Al Hamra Village Resorts, won last year and it therefore has the choice of ocean port.

Al Hamra hotels Management director of sales and marketing Jeremy Payne said US objections to RAK came down to yacht type and weather conditions.

“With the history of this race there is a lot of gamesmanship - it’s really about the different type of boat they are racing,” he said.

Alinghi was sailing a catamaran, which was built for speed in light wind conditions such as those experienced in RAK as opposed to the US team’s Trimaran, which sailed best in different conditions.

Whatever the outcome of the appeal, Payne said RAK was a “lifestyle destination” that was becoming well established amongst the sailing fraternity.

“It’s common for people who live here to have a boat and a villa,” he said.

“Also, at the weekend, people sail up the coast from Abu Dhabi or Dubai from RAK.”

Al Hamra Hotels & Resorts currently operates three properties in RAK – Al Hamra Fort, Al Hamra Village Resort and Khatt Springs.

The company will open the four-star Acacia hotels in January and The Palace, to open around June 2010.