Nothing new from the West: The America's Cup organisers are continuing with their piecemeal announcement of information about the 35th edition. While the sailing world is eagerly waiting for the Americans to finally announce the location for the 16th America's Cup duel in 2017, the men at the levers of Cup power are happily announcing the venue for one of next year's America's Cup World Series (ACWS) regattas. Bermuda, of all places, is one of only two contenders for the rights to host the America's Cup in three years' time.
What should we make of this? Does the award of an ACWS regatta to Bermuda already signal the preliminary decision in the battle for the main event? Or does the press release represent a consolation for Bermuda because the Cup will be held off San Diego after all? According to many experts, it could be. One argument against Bermuda as a Cup venue is that the island state is a British overseas territory and it would be too sensitive to the American defender's soul not to defend the most important trophy in international sailing in home waters.
There is little to be said against Bermuda as a sailing destination. Match race professionals and ocean sailors (Newport Bermuda Race) have loved sailing there for decades. Now an ACWS regatta is to take place in the Great Sound from 16 to 18 October 2015. Of course, all those involved are hopefully quoted in the press release about the supposedly still open rights duel between San Diego and Bermuda. Bermuda's Premier Michael Dunkley said: "Bermuda's waters are ideal for racing, as anyone who has sailed here can attest. We are thrilled that our island will be part of the next America's Cup." Bermuda's Education and Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons said: "Our team is working hard to bring the America's Cup to Bermuda and we are really excited that the America's Cup World Series is coming to us next year."
Harvey Schiller, Commercial Director of the 35th America's Cup, also made a conspicuous effort to maintain the tension in the race for the Cup hosting rights. He said: "When we looked at Bermuda as a potential venue for 2017, it quickly became clear that it would be an ideal venue for a World Series regatta. Regardless of the final decision." Really? Whatever the decision - announced for December - will be: Bermuda can take comfort in the fact that it is one of the world's favourite sailing destinations. Ben Ainslie and World Sailor of the Year Jimmy Spithill have already won the Gold Cup here, Russell Coutts even seven times. However, in the past, the decisions on the America's Cup race venues were rarely about what the sailors wanted.
Tatjana Pokorny
Sports reporter
