America's Cup- Bermuda announced as Venue + Video replay

by Richard Gladwell, Sail-World.com on 3 Dec 2014 America's Cup Commissioner Dr Harvey Schiller has announced that the next America's Cup will be staged in the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda.

The announcement confirms leaked information as to the Match Venue, and will be the first time that America's Cup has been Defended by US outside US waters. It will be held in June 2017.

Also expected to be announced was the appointment of Iain Murray as Regatta Director. Murray was the at times controversial Regatta Director for the 34th America's Cup, and then switched roles, when his Club, Hamilton Island Yacht Club, became the official Challenger. Murray was Commodore of HIYC, but it withdrew in late July 2014.

Murray was supported by the Challenger group on the basis that he had previous experience in the role, and his appointment was agreed to by the Defender.

Schiller would not confirm his appointment, except to say that a selection had been made and that final contractual negotiations were taking place.

Chicago has also been announced as a venue for the America's Cup World Series. A fifth venue may also be announced.



Schiller also confirmed that New Zealand had made a serious bid for a major series.

Red Bull is confirmed as the sponsor again as the naming rights sponsor of the Red Bull Youth America's Cup, won in 2013 by New Zealand's Peter Burling and Blair Tuke, who are now sailing for Emirates Team New Zealand.

No new Challengers were announced, save for the repeated statement that two more were possible.

The reasons for Bermuda being selected are the favourable time zone for global TV broadcasts; central location for all teams; wind conditions are expected to be varied.

The Bermudan Government has already started the legal process of passing legislation to enable the America's Cup following the announcement earlier of the America's Cup World Series to be staged on the island. This legal process will now be expanded as a result of today's announcement.

Five Challenging teams were represented at the Media Conference. Speaking for Emirates Team New Zealand, COO Kevin Shoebridge said that the team would now go back to their sponsors and government and attempt to gain support for a New Zealand challenge in Bermuda.

The Challenger teams were guarded about their future intentions regarding Bermuda, and set up on the island. Max Sirena of the Challenger of Record, Luna Rossa said they had only known of the decision for a day. The team is one of the most advanced having established a major base at Cagliari, Italy. That venue is expected to be announced as a further venue for the America's Cup World Series.