Almost go time

world seriesThe moment we have all been waiting for is finally here; ever since the announcement was made in 2014 that one of the world’s largest sporting events was coming to our island everything has been building up to this point.

Thousands of man hours, millions of dollars, and plenty of blood, sweat, and tears have been shed getting us here. For Bermuda this is a moment to savour, and celebrate.

 

Mr. America’s Cup

19 S Conner

The winning skipper at the 35th America’s Cup will enter the annals of sporting history, claiming a trophy that it is claimed is the hardest to win in sport. Dennis Conner tasted victory four times during his Cup career, an achievement that earned him the nickname “Mr. America’s Cup”. In winning the America’s Cup four times, Conner successfully defended the Cup in 1974, 1980, and 1988 and won as the challenger in 1987.

It’s day 4 on the countdown!      #AC35Countdown #ACFunFacts #AmericasCupBrief

 

A week away

Team New Zealand ripping through the sound during training in peparation of the 35th Americas Cup (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

Team New Zealand ripping through the sound during training in peparation of the 35th Americas Cup (Photograph by Blaire Simmons)

All the talk, all the practice, all the preparation; it all comes down to this. The 35th America’s Cup gets underway in just a week’s time with Oracle Team USA and Groupama Team France sailing in the first race of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers. There will be four races on the first day, starting at 5pm, with Artemis Racing taking on SoftBank Team Japan in race two, Team France back in action against Emirates Team New Zealand in race three, and Land Rover BAR bringing things to a close against Artemis in the last race of the day.

#AC35Countdown   #ACFunFacts    #AmericasCupBrief

 

 

A golden crew

Land Rover BAR v. Artemis in America's Cup Practice Racing on Bermuda's Great Sound - 32417 photo by Talbot Wilson- Royal Gazette

Land Rover BAR v. Artemis in America’s Cup Practice Racing on Bermuda’s Great Sound – 32417
photo by Talbot Wilson- Royal Gazette

Day 8    #AC35Countdown #ACFunFacts #AmericasCupBrief

Land Rover BAR are among the favourites to challenge Oracle Team USA for the 35th America’s Cup, and they have plenty of experienced sailors on their crew. Sir Ben Ainslie, the BAR skipper, has won four Olympic gold medals dating back to Sydney in 2000, these followed the silver he collected in Atlanta at just 19 years of age. Also with gold medals to their name are Giles Scott (Rio 2016) and Xavier Fernadez (Athens 2004). Fernandez also won silver in Beijing in 2008, taking BAR’s Olympic medal haul to a total of eight.

 

Did you know?

Americas Cup Sailors Dock Out Show. Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing and team member head to their boats for the first day of racing.(Photograph by Akil Simmons)

Americas Cup Sailors Dock Out Show. Land Rover Ben Ainslie Racing and team member head to their boats for the first day of racing. (Photograph by Akil Simmons)

There are 10 days until the 35th America’s Cup gets underway in Bermuda. Here are 5 fascinating facts about the event that you might not know: 1 Britain have never won the Cup. 2 The winners make the rules. 3 Sir Russell Coutts has a perfect 14-0 record as skipper. 4 It costs $2 million just to enter. 5 Ben Ainslie’s favourite food is beef wellington. For 5 more, visit ourac.royalgazette.com

#AC35Countdown #ACFunFacts #AmericasCupBrief

 

 

Artemis take Toulon

Artemis Racing boat team in action on day two of the America's Cup World Series event off Toulon, southern France, Sunday, Sept.11, 2016. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

Artemis Racing boat team in action on day two of the America’s Cup World Series event off Toulon, southern France, Sunday, Sept.11, 2016. (AP Photo/Claude Paris)

Oracle Team USA will defend the America’s Cup and Land Rover BAR are tipped to challenge them in the 35th America’s Cup Match, but Artemis Racing should not be dismissed. On September 11 last year Artemis triumphed in the Louis Vuitton World Series regatta in Toulon, winning three of the six races.

Artemis became the second team to secure three regatta victories, and were the most consistent in the light-air conditions, finishing five points clear of second-placed SoftBank Team Japan, whose impressive fight back fell just short of glory.

Day 11        #AC35Countdown #ACFunFacts #AmericasCupBrief