Shaikh Omar hopes Alinghi can make RAK permanent base

One of Ras Al Khaimah government's top officials has paid glowing tribute to Alinghi following its choice of RAK as the venue for the 33rd America's Cup in February.

"Alinghi dreamt and we dreamt and both of us have been living off each other's dreams," Shaikh Omar Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, the RAK Government representative for the America's Cup said on Tuesday.

"Alinghi wanted Ras Al Khaimah as the venue for the next America's Cup and we wanted Ras Al Khaimah to be on the international map. Now, I can only hope Alinghi will make Ras Al Khaimah their next home base, besides Switzerland of course," he added.