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New Zealanders travelling to Valencia for the America's Cup are not expected to be deterred by the arrest of a man who was allegedly planning a terrorist attack on the event.
Spanish news reports say a suspected member of the Basque separatist group Eta was arrested after being found with bomb-making manuals. He was allegedly trying to find information about the regatta.
Team New Zealand are preparing to head to Spain and their two yachts are due to be flown over next month. Up to 300 friends and family are expected to join them. Some members of the public are also expected to travel to the event.
Team New Zealand managing director Grant Dalton said the information about a potential terrorist attack was speculative and the team had yesterday heard nothing official from authorities about it.
A contingency plan was in place in the event of a terrorist attack, but he had faith in the ability of Spanish authorities to deal with any kind of threat.
"The team has a contingency plan for all eventualities from bird flu to terrorism," he said. "We have faith in the Spanish authorities' security measures. We expect America's Cup management will brief the team on this incident if necessary."
The Louis Vuitton challengers' series runs until June and the cup match between the successful challenger and Swiss defender Alinghi is scheduled for June 23 to July 7.
A Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman yesterday confirmed that a man had been arrested and that there were news reports linking him to a terrorist plot. According to the department's website there is "some risk" to security because of the possibility of further terrorist attacks. It urges caution, particularly in tourist areas, but the spokeswoman said that advisory was not in response to the latest arrest.
Valencia Mayor Rita Barbera is reportedly saying authorities have not received any specific threats or information about potential threats but there are plans to increase security around the yachting.
Sporting Tours manager Steve Kirwan, whose company is offering travel packages to Valencia, said he had not been contacted by anyone concerned about the potential for attacks.
Flight Centre spokesman John McGuinness said travellers had not been too concerned when previous terrorist attacks had been thwarted so he was not expecting anyone to cancel.
- additional reporting NZPA
