America's Cup organizers confirmed at a press conference in N.Y. on Tuesday that Bermuda will host the next regatta in '17, according to Dana Johannsen of the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. This will be the first time a U.S. defender "holds the America's Cup outside the United States." It will also "be the first time in the regatta's 163-year history that a defender sails the races in foreign waters by choice rather than necessity." America's Cup Commercial Commissioner Harvey Schiller said that in past events smaller venues, such as Newport Rhode Island and Fremantle, "had worked well for the event, with the locals fully embracing the event." Schiller: "We wanted a location that shared our vision where all the teams can be located in one place. ... and we wanted a location that would welcome the America's Cup and what we're about and fully get behind us." He also announced that the race had received a "serious proposal" from Team New Zealand to host a "major event -- likely to be the new qualifying series for the 35th America's Cup." New Zealand's Kevin Shoebridge said that the Kiwi syndicate had been "working on proposals for both potential venues and was confident the team could get the backing for Bermuda" (
NZ HERALD, 12/3).
BRITISH WATERS: In London, Ron Lewis wrote that English Olympic Gold Medal sailor Ben Ainslie was "delighted" to have the race back in British waters. Ainslie joked that the Auld Mug was "already halfway back" to the U.K. Ainslie: "As a British team we have historic ties to Bermuda, so we are delighted that it is going there. I have fond memories of racing there. I have only raced in the harbour, but it will be a fantastic venue. It will be challenging for us as sailors, but that’s what we want for the competition" (LONDON TIMES, 12/3).
