Photos & Video: America’s Cup At Cabinet Office
The America’s Cup trophy arrived in Bermuda this afternoon [Dec 3], with the private jet carrying the Cup greeted by a water spray by the Airport Division of the Bermuda Fire and Service.
After its arrival at the airport, the Cup — with a police escort — was transported to Hamilton in a motorcade, carried in a car bearing the licence plate “AC 2017″. The motorcade passed a number of schools along the route, with excited school children waving small flags as the Motorcade passed.
Students watch the Americas Cup Motorcade
The Cup was then presented on the Cabinet Grounds, where a number of people gathered for the event. Speaking to the crowd, Premier Michael Dunkley said, “Being chosen as the host venue for the 2017 America’s Cup is truly a phenomenal achievement for our Island.
“It is yet another example of us being able to host a world class sporting event, but this time, we have pulled a coup d’état.
“Over the next three years, Bermuda, our tourism product, our hospitality and our heritage as a maritime sailing destination will receive unprecedented exposure.
“Yes, there is much to be excited about today – and later this evening, we are pulling out all the stops by hosting a public celebration on Front Street, complete with local entertainment, the Gombeys and fireworks to commemorate this historical occasion.
“This evening will be extra special because tonight I will be officially presenting this beautiful trophy to the people of Bermuda, so I want to encourage all residents to come out and be a part of the celebration.”
Slideshow with 60+ photos of the Cup’s arrival at the Cabinet Grounds today
The oldest international trophy in world sport, the first race was organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851 and prize was a silver Cup that was valued at One Hundred Pounds sterling. The race was won by a syndicate from the New York Yacht Club.
The trophy was renamed the America’s Cup after the winning yacht and was donated to the New York Yacht Club under the terms of the Deed of Gift which made the Cup available for perpetual international competition.
The Royal Naval Dockyard was selected as the venue to base the 2017 America’s Cup, an a purpose-built event village will be developed in the South Basin of Dockyard.
Six teams have so far taken up the challenge of racing for the next America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport. The defending champion is Oracle Team USA, which won the last event with a spectacular comeback over Emirates Team New Zealand, who return as a challenger, along with Artemis Racing from Sweden, Ben Ainslie Racing from England, Luna Rossa Challenge from Italy and Team France.
In 2017, all teams will compete in their new AC62 catamarans, powered by highly-efficient wingsails and designed to fly above the water on foils at speeds near 50 mph.
Premier Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
Sir Russell Coutts, General Schiller, Members of the Oracle Team, Dennis Conner, Ministerial Colleagues, special invited guests, friends… it is a pleasure to welcome you and this beautiful America’s Cup to the Cabinet Office on a day that can truly be termed a wonderful day for Bermuda!
I think I can sum up today in four simple words:
Bermuda… We did it!
Ladies and gentlemen, being chosen as the host venue for the 2017 America’s Cup is truly a phenomenal achievement for our Island.
It is yet another example of us being able to host a world class sporting event, but this time, we have pulled a coup d’état.
Over the next three years, Bermuda, our tourism product, our hospitality and our heritage as a maritime sailing destination will receive unprecedented exposure.
Yes, there is much to be excited about today – and later this evening, we are pulling out all the stops by hosting a public celebration on Front Street, complete with local entertainment, the Gombeys and fireworks to commemorate this historical occasion.
This evening will be extra special because tonight I will be officially presenting this beautiful trophy to the people of Bermuda, so I want to encourage all residents to come out and be a part of the celebration.
Friends our pursuit of the America’s Cup is about so much more than just hosting this prestigious event on our shores… in its broader context, it is another example of this Government working to achieve economic growth and job creation for our people.
Experience from former host venues indicates it will have a powerful impact on our economy over the next three years, attracting worldwide attention and generating jobs, investment and revenue across multiple sectors including, hospitality, construction, transport, security, retail, wholesale, real estate and telecommunications.
Hosting an event of this magnitude on our Island will require teamwork, and the support and participation from all spheres of our community.
It will require a continuation, and an expansion, of the cooperative spirit and dedication of the team of private sector volunteers, civil servants and other professionals who have worked tirelessly together to advance Bermuda’s winning bid.
Ladies and gentlemen as I close, I must single out a few key individuals who were instrumental to getting us to this point.
The Minister of Education and Economic Development, Dr. the Hon. Grant Gibbons and his team of technical officers led by Mrs. Jasmin Smith, in addition to Mr. Peter Durhager and Mr. Mike Winfield. These individuals represent a much broader team which came together to craft our bid and guide us through the long journey which culminates today, here with the arrival of the Cup.
Thank you all for your tireless dedication to this monumental cause.
Bermuda, the dream has become a reality.
And now, it’s time for us to all roll up our sleeves and get to work so that we can fulfill our goal of making the 2017 America’s Cup one of the most memorable events in sports history.
Sir Russell, General Harvey Schiller and all of the Americas Cup team, once again a warm welcome to Bermuda.
We look forward to seeing much of you as we work together to make the Americas Cup one of the most unforgettable sports events.
Thank you and I look forward to seeing all of you later this evening on Front Street.
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I suppose its like my wife not getting excited about watching the World Cup
to each his own
but it will be a long 2 years
No, it’s going to be 3 long years. Yaaaaaaaa!
thanks for the coverage bernews!
Now that the world knows about Bermuda, is there still a need for the government to sink money into the Tourism Authority? I am sure if the government also legalized marijuana the world would become a lot smaller for people to find Bermuda. We all know the rich and famous love to puff now and then.
It appears the proverbial cat has got the PLP’s tongue. So quick to congratulate people but so quiet on this.
Let’s be POSITIVE about this amazing opportunity for Bermuda !