BTA: World’s Coveted Regattas Choose Bermuda

September 10, 2015

A new sailing calendar from the Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA] “shows the island as a major player in the world of nautical tourism, particularly during the winter,” the BTA said today.

In addition to hosting the America’s Cup and biennial staples like the Newport Bermuda Race, the calendar reveals Bermuda has attracted exciting new events including the RC 44 Championship Tour in March 2016 and the Flying Phantom Series this November.

Team Oracle USA sailor Tom Slingsby, who helped the Phantom Series choose Bermuda, said: “I think Bermuda is really going to come into the world spotlight as an amazing tourist destination, an amazing sailing destination and somewhere the America’s Cup could be for a long time. It’s such a beautiful place – great people, great sailing conditions. I can’t wait for the next few years.”

Video comments from Tom Slingsby:

“Our sailing calendar represents one of the first tourism industry legacy benefits of the America’s Cup,” said BTA CEO Bill Hanbury.

“We have new sailing events because Bermuda is part of the global sailing conversation in a way it wasn’t before. We’re working with our stakeholders to make sure we seize the opportunity to win new regattas and then we need to keep those events coming back year after year.”

“The Bermuda Tourism Authority Sailing Race Calendar was released this week at a hospitality industry presentation about the America’s Cup,” the BTA said.

“The calendar will be used as part of the BTA’s sports tourism and America’s Cup #RaceToBermuda marketing strategies in an effort to attract sailing enthusiasts to the island. Bermuda is an official partner of the America’s Cup.

“There are several first-time events on the Bermuda race calendar that will help to bring new visitors to the island during a traditionally low demand period.

Sailing calendar from the BTA, click to enlarge:

Sailing_Race Calendar_Sept 2015 1000

“RC 44 in March, the Flying Phantom in November and the Moth Regatta in December are all examples of how sailing can help us smooth out the shoulder season,” Mr Hanbury said.

“We worked particularly hard on securing the RC 44 event because with the leadership of its namesake Sir Russell Coutts, RC 44 is quickly becoming one of the most elite, most sought after regattas on the planet.”

Beginning next month Bermuda launches a 21-month stretch of sailing regattas, culminating with five weeks of racing in Bermuda’s Great Sound and the crowning of an America’s Cup champion.

BTA slideshow on upcoming regattas in Bermuda, click arrow to see next slide:

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Comments (22)

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  1. Onion juice says:

    Welcome to the two Bermuda’s

    • Toodle-oo says:

      You’re plainly not smart enough to know how to sail but next year go as a spectator on the End to End Comet race and open your eyes.
      Then get back to us with your two different Bermudas cr@p

    • This comment says:

      is simply off base and ridiculous and elcits from readers a real sadness for this person.

      This event is poised to help this country work its way through a very difficult fiscal situation whose cause we will not mention.

      Time to check the hate at the door and work toward making a better Bermuda. The recent rhetoric in the media by our talking heads clearly shows that there are those among us that simply want this Island to fail and fail BIG.

      Thankfully there are more Bermudians that are willing to pitch in to make it work.

      Bermuda strong!

    • 32n64w says:

      The positive economic impact of the biennial Newport Race results in $10m spent locally, and that’s just for a race lasting a few days. Those inflows equate to money spent on:

      1. Taxis, buses, vans, cycle rentals & ferries
      2. Hotels
      3. Guest houses
      4. Rental accommodations
      5. Restaurants
      6. Grocery stores
      7. Pharmacies
      8. Retail shopping
      9. Fuel & supplies
      10. Charters
      11. Sightseeing & tour operators
      12. And dozens more services

      If you can’t see how every Bermudian, from workers, clerks, drivers, boat pilots, tour guides, business owners, waiters, waitresses, pump attendants, delivery drivers, stockists, etc. and the thousands of other people who directly and indirectly integrate with and support these services (electricians, construction workers, plumbers, accountants, lawyers, doctors, IT, wholesalers, electricity & communication providers, bankers, and on and on) benefit from the above than you need to open your eyes and ears and make an effort to understand how a service based economy works.

      This misplaced idea of there being two Bermuda’s is simply wrong and those who chose to disseminate the falsehood are anti-Bermuda and anti-Bermudian.

      You and those who view the island through biased rose coloured glasses are the problem. Suggest you change your mindset, be honest and join the majority.

    • Jus Wonderin' says:

      lol so how long have mid atlantic boat club, EEMYC, WEBC, etc been around. get outta here with ya daily bull****!!!

    • aceboy says:

      Moronic but not unexpected comment.

    • Anbu says:

      And the dumbest bermudian on the rock award goes to u my friend. Lmfao keep chewing on that shoe

    • jt says:

      How’s that chip treating you O.J.?

    • Juice E Fruit says:

      Onion Juice if nothing else you are c#ntsistant

    • Build a Better Bermuda says:

      You really are your own worst enemy, you can blame legacy, your simplified notion of 2 Bermudas, and anything else you want o under the sun; but you reveal to all that you only have yourself to blame for your failings.

    • stunned... says:

      @ Onion. for once i agree. there are two Bermuda’s. one interested in working together to improve Bermuda and the other who is interested in throwing rocks at the first group. it’s not hard to guess which group you’re in.

    • hotcrossbuns says:

      Yes, welcome to two Bermudas, where the one will save the other. Thank goodness for these type of events, they will pull us out of the 30 year tourism ditch we’ve been in.

  2. Fool says:

    What’s stopping you from going sailing OJ? Or reaping the benefits of increased tourist numbers?

    Other than a lack of brain, obviously.

  3. Toleratate says:

    lol, go lay down bie… it’s getting old.

    SMH

  4. bluebird says:

    Hay you byes leave OJ alone.
    He is a victum and loves feeling sorry for himself and wants a few others too join him in his misery.

  5. Youth Sailor Parent says:

    This is really great for the sailing community but it would also be good to showcase the Youth events which often bring overseas visitors throughout the year. Such events as the Opti Nationals in November and Argo Junior Gold Cup where the top junior sailors are invited from around the world. If the BTA needs the dates they can be found on the BODA website.

    • Colibm says:

      RenRe Junior Gold Cup.

    • BOCA says:

      We agree, Youth Sailor Parent. In addition, BOCA (Bermuda Offshore Cruising Association) also run a full schedule of races in the waters of Bermuda, both inshore and offshore, in addition to its members competing internationally.

      We would hope that the very welcome sailing events coming to our island will not be to the detriment of and will, in fact, enhance those clubs, associations and opportunities already available.

      All sailors are welcome, please get in touch at bocabda@gmail.com

      The schedule can be found at http://www.byra.bm

  6. paddle says:

    “…somewhere the America’s Cup could be for a long time.” :)

  7. Frank says:

    Can someone please show us the layout for the coarse in Hamilton harbor?????

  8. stunned... says:

    on a different tack – i am glad to know that it was “…Team Oracle USA sailor Tom Slingsby, who helped the Phantom Series choose Bermuda, said: “I think Bermuda is really going to come into the world spotlight as an amazing tourist destination, an amazing sailing destination and somewhere the America’s Cup could be for a long time. It’s such a beautiful place – great people, great sailing conditions. I can’t wait for the next few years.”

    …and that the BTA put out the calendar. money well spent.