by Brian Major
Last updated: 9:45 AM ET, Wed December 3, 2014
PHOTO: Harvey Schiller (left), commercial commissioner for the America's Cup, celebrates the America's Cup announcement Tuesday with Michael Dunkley, Bermuda's premier. (Photo courtesy of America's Cup Event Authority).
Bermuda was officially named host country of the 35th edition of the 2017 America's Cup sailing competition Tuesday by the America's Cup Event Authority. The country's tourism officials have previously targeted hosting the America's Cup, considered the world's premiere sailing race, as instrumental to their efforts to revive Bermuda's declining tourism arrivals.
Bermuda's official naming as America's Cup host, in which the country beat out co-finalist San Diego, comes following November reports that the North Atlantic archipelago would emerge as the race site. As the defending America's Cup champion, Oracle Team USA held the right to choose the 2017 venue. The team's owner, Larry Ellison, was said in an Associated Press report to favor Bermuda.
America's Cup events in Bermuda will take place at the Royal Naval Dockyard. A purpose-built event village will be developed in the Dockyard's south basin, according to Bermuda Tourism Authority (BTA) officials. The event will "act as a catalyst for further investment and revitalization of Bermuda and her assets by both the government and the private sector," said officials in a statement.
"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 David Dodwell, BTA's chairman. "The scale of our island and tourism community ensures that the America's Cup will receive the tailored, personalized attention such a marquee event deserves."
"Today's announcement is just the beginning of an exhilarating new chapter for Bermuda as an island country -- including the important tourism industry," said Bill Hanbury, BTA's chief executive. "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."
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