iShares in Venice

Some glamour for the Extreme 40's 2009 season opener

The historic city of Venice has been announced as the first stop on the European iShares Cup Extreme 40 Sailing Series. The Italian city will host the 'show opener' from 15-17 May 2009 at Bacino San Marco - Riva Sette Martiri.

"We have spent the past six months touring Italy to find an ideal venue for the regatta and Venice came top in all our research." said Gilles Chiorri, the Events Director at OC Events. "The Bacino San Marco provides a perfect grandstand for the general public to watch these amazing catamarans as well as providing good shoreside VIP facilities for our guests and sponsors. It will be the most stunning backdrop to a thrilling spectacle; modern hi-tech racing machines competing in the historic venue of Venice."

The iShares Cup rolls into the city on Monday 11 May when the teams start to construct their boats and the VIP and media facilities are built on the banks of the waterway.

"Italy is a key market for iShares and Venice is the perfect location to host the opening event of the 2009 iShares Cup. One of the key factors making the iShares Cup so unique is the ability to bring sailing to the public by racing right in the heart of the city and Venice offers just that opportunity "said Rick Andrews, Head of iShares Marketing, Europe.

The iShares Cup Venice is strongly supported by Compagnia della Vela, the Venice yacht club. The President, Giorgio Orsoni : "We are thrilled that such an important international regatta is coming to Venice. In just three years, the iShares Cup has become one of the top five sailing events in the World and we are honoured that it will be visiting our city. Venice and the Compagnia della Vela have the unique opportunity to live again the never forget experience of the Moro di Venezia."