Bermuda hosts America’s Cup preview this month

ALTHOUGH it will not be until June 2017 that the best sailors in the world will arrive in Bermuda to contest the Americas Cup, a preview is due in October of this year together with a Reggae concert starring Shaggy and Maxi Priest.

Bermuda will host the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series race event from October 16 to 18. The World Series is the first stage of competition when all of the America’s Cup teams compete hoping to earn points that will advance them to the finals in 2017.

With a new Louis Vuitton America’s Cup village to be built in the South Basin of the Royal Naval Dockyard, the Island will offer an unmatched experience for sailing teams and spectators from around the world.

The America’s Cup traces its roots to August 1851 when an upstart schooner named America sailed past the Royal Yacht to win the 100 Pound Cup in a race around England’s Isle of Wight. More than a simple boat race, this triumph of the New York Yacht Club (NYYC) over the Royal Yacht Squadron symbolised a great victory for the new world over the old.

The trophy was renamed the America’s Cup after the winning schooner and was donated to the NYYC under the terms of the Deed of Gift, which made it available for perpetual international competition.