Above: Oracle Team USA in action (Photo: Giulia Caponnetto)

By the Caribbean Journal staff

Bermuda has been selected to host the 2017 America’s Cup, America’s Cup Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller announced.

The Atlantic island will be hosting the 35th edition of the global sailing competition, beginning with the America’s Cup World Series event in October 2015.

“Racing in Bermuda will be an incredible experience for the spectators, both on-site and for those watching the broadcast, and for the sailors,” said Jimmy Spithill, skipper for Oracle Team USA, the cup’s defending champion. “I’ve raced there several times and the variety of conditions means you can never let your guard down. We’ll all need to be at the top of our game to have success and that’s how it should be.”

The island will be hosting the event at the Royal Naval Dockyard, which will soon see the construction of a purpose-built event village in the area.

“Bermuda’s Atlantic-based location provides the opportunity to grow the event’s visibility among East Coast audiences and serves as an ideal broadcast time zone for both North American and European audiences,” said Bermuda Tourism Authority Chairman David Dodwell. “The Bermuda Tourism Authority is honoured to be a part of a team helping to attract and support such defining events. We are proud marketing partners with the America’s Cup Event Authority and look forward to shining a brighter spotlight on Bermuda as a stunning venue for such an amazing global competition.”

The 2017 edition of America’s Cup will include teams competing in new AC62 catamarans, capable of sailing at speeds close to 50 miles per hour.