Bermuda Soundings - Only two more sleeps 'til Christmas - or three?

by Richard Gladwell on 24 May 2017 This is the first of what will hopefully become a log of on and off the water happenings which don't normally make the regular racing news, from the 35th America's Cup stage on the Great Sound, Bermuda.

In just two more sleeps it will be the equivalent of Christmas Day for America's Cup fans around the world. Except this Christmas, the start of the 35th America's Cup, has been four years in the building.

Tickets are selling like hotcakes for the spectator areas in the America's Cup Village, which is still under construction.

Hopefully she'll be right on the night!

There is a sell-out for the first day (likely to be postponed) and a similar situation for the next day and that looks to roll-on for the regatta. While The America's Cup is the only show on in town for locals, there is a constant stream of cruise ships in town, and of course the Cup is not to be missed.

Capacity crowd is about 7,500 per day - it will be interesting to see how packed the stands are mid-week.

Bermuda is certainly buzzing anticipating what will be the biggest sporting event ever staged in the British Overseas Territory since its discovery by the Spanish in the 16th Century.

Today is Bermuda's National Day, the town is closed for the public holiday, and street parades. Driving in from the airport at around 1.30am we passed several punters with their front-row seats staked out. Yes, sitting out on the pavement waiting for the parade that wouldn't pass their way for another 12 hours.

Each day many of the media will make the ferry trip across the harbour from the City of Hamilton - reputed to be the most expensive city in the world, to the historic Royal Dockyard on the opposite side of the harbour. There the America's Cup teams are based - either on the main island or on the newly reclaimed Cross Island, where the America's Cup Village is still under construction, along with the completed Media Centre and other event facilities.

Once clearing Hamilton the ferry passengers then run the gauntlet of some magnificent mansions - mostly right on the water's edge and home to the Beautiful People.

The view from the two level media centre is just stunning - right on the water's edge with a clear 180 degree unobstructed view of the racing. Sitting in the media centre right now is like a kid viewing the gifts under the Tree. The setting and backdrop is there - and your imagination fills in what it will be like with six AC50's flying around the harbour literally at your feet.

Over in Hamilton the superyachts are moored, in Mediterranean style, with their sterns to the dock. The Superyacht and J-class regattas that will be staged as part of the final week of the America's Cup will be impressive. And at the other end of the scale is the Endeavour Program with young sailors from around the world racing in single handed O'Pen BICS, two handed Feva's and Hobies. And of course there is the Red Bull Youth America's Cup.

The breeze was up today - plenty of sheep in the paddock - or whitecaps - on the aqua blue harbour. In fact, wind conditions were close to the top end allowed for racing, with average wind speeds of around 15-18kts but with gusts well over 20kts, with one puff of 27kts being recorded at Watford Bridge on the western side of the Great Sound.

Only the French ventured out today, completing the session without incident.

Heading for home tonight, the reggae band was having a practice session on the stage undeterred by the work in progress in front of them. If the capacity crowd stay back after the racing - the America's Cup Village will certainly be dancing to a different tune than any other heard in the 166 year history of the America's Cup.

Tomorrow there is a media conference at midday, with the final Practice Racing expected to get away around 2.00pm in the afternoon. First race day is Friday, May 26, however the forecast is not great - with winds expected to be gusting well over 30kts.

However the latest forecast predicts strong breezes for Thursday as well as Friday. The front appears to passing more quickly with the wind dropping in strength to provide very good sailing conditions early on Saturday morning.

For Cup fans in Bermuda and around the world, a special Day might in fact be be three sleeps away.

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