Photos & Videos: America’s Cup Celebration
Crowds lined Front Street last night [Dec 3], as the America’s Cup celebration took place, following after the announcement on Tuesday that Bermuda has been selected to be home of America’s Cup in 2017.
The actual America’s Cup trophy arrived in Bermuda onboard a private jet earlier that day, and was driven in a motorcade to the Cabinet Office grounds, where people gathered to get a glimpse of the trophy, which is considered the oldest trophy in international sport.
Following that, there was special block party on Front Street which involved the arrival of the trophy, speeches from local dignitaries, the Bermuda Regiment Band, the Gombeys, music and a fireworks display.
Slideshow with over 60 photos from last night’s celebration
Speaking at the event, Premier Michael Dunkley said, “After months of quiet discussion, long hours of hard work and careful negotiation, the America’s Cup has come to its new home, Bermuda!
“Since the first race, only four nations have won what is often called the “oldest trophy in international sport”. And in its 163 year history, the America’s Cup has been held in just 8 locations. Bermuda is honoured and proud to join this distinguished group.
“The opportunities presented by hosting of the America’s Cup for Bermuda are extraordinary. One of the major points that our team made in our bid presentations, was that the whole community of Bermuda would embrace the America’s Cup.
America’s Cup welcomed at Cabinet Grounds
“After all, sailing is foundational to our Island and our people. It’s how we were discovered, how we have survived and thrived over centuries,” continued the Premier.
“It will not be news to you that Bermudians invented the Bermuda rig which is still used in most of all sailing yachts today
“We are a people of diverse backgrounds and heritage with a fundamental pride in our history and our community – and we know how to welcome the world.
“As a people we embody the best qualities of sailors – we are self-reliant and we know how to come together as a team when it matters most. We have again exhibited those qualities as we emerged from the recent storms.
“This, my friends, is one of those times when it matters most! It is now up to us as a community and as individuals to understand and embrace the amazing opportunities now before us.
“Winning the bid to host the 2017 America’s Cup is the beginning and it can be the catalyst we need to propel us into a prosperous future.”
H&H Gombeys perform at the America’s Cup celebrations on Front Street
Premier Dunkley added, “There is work to be done and jobs to be had. There will be opportunities for Bermudians in every level of our workforce; including international business, law, real estate, restaurateurs and hospitality, construction… the list is endless, and we see all Bermudians benefiting from the America’s Cup.
“There is an investment in our infrastructure and economy that is coming. Such development will live far beyond 2017 as a legacy both to the America’s Cup and Bermuda.
“We will have members of the sailing teams and the America’s Cup Event Authority moving here. They will need homes to live in, rooms to redecorate and gardens to be cared for. They will need offices to rent, restaurants to entertain in and stores to go shopping.
“This is exactly the type of stimulus the economy needs. In addition sponsors, media and fans will be visiting from as far away as New Zealand.
“Perhaps just as importantly, by winning the bid to host the America’s Cup, we have grabbed the spotlight and turned it towards our Island. That fact alone has people, around the world, sitting up and paying attention.
“The America’s Cup is not just a one hit wonder, it will sustain and grow over the next two and a half years.
America’s Cup arrives at Bermuda’s airport
Premier Dunkley continued, “And let me pause for a moment to announce the first Bermuda Tier 3 sponsor. My sincere thanks and congratulations go to Malcolm Gosling and Goslings. Goslings will now be the official rum of the 2017 Americas Cup!
“Ladies and gentlemen, the America’s Cup will have positive impact throughout our community and will produce lasting legacies for our people.
“Many have asked how did our small Island community earn the right to host the 2017 America’s Cup. Simply by demonstrating our passion, our will, by applying our skills and experience and by emphasizing our strengths as an island.
“For over four centuries, the mystique that is Bermuda has been evolving with each generation adding its own contribution. Now there is a new generation of Bermudians ready to write our next chapter.
“We have a history of punching above our weight. And so when we are asked if we can host the America’s Cup, we’ve always answered yes we can!
Students watch the Americas Cup Motorcade
“It’s been said elsewhere but today it is Bermuda’s turn, today we must say together, yes we can, yes we will and we look forward to it. We stepped up, we took a risk and we worked hard,” said the Premier.
“The volume of work, the commitment and focus that has pulled this bid across the line is extraordinary. The pride in this achievement will inspire generations to follow and remind us of what we can do when we pull together.
“We have been selected as a steward for the most prestigious yachting trophy in the world and it is our honour to do so.
“The world will be watching us, starting next October with the World Series Event and going on into 2017.
“When the racing kicks off in the Great Sound, which I believe will be seen as the most spectacular sailing venue on the planet, the world will witness, and never forget, the greatest show on foils.
“However before we get there we have a lot of work to do and together we will get the job done. But tonight… we celebrate. Bermuda, this is our moment to shine… so, let’s celebrate tonight and then tomorrow let’s get to work, together.”
Prrmier Michael Dunkley’s full statement follows below:
Good Evening Bermuda!!
After months of quiet discussion, long hours of hard work and careful negotiation, the America’s Cup has come to its new home, Bermuda!
Since the first race, only four nations have won what is often called the “oldest trophy in international sport”.
And in its 163 year history, the America’s Cup has been held in just 8 locations.
Bermuda is honoured and proud to join this distinguished group.
The opportunities presented by hosting of the America’s Cup for Bermuda are extraordinary.
One of the major points that our team made in our bid presentations, was that the whole community of Bermuda would embrace the America’s Cup.
After all, sailing is foundational to our Island and our people. It’s how we were discovered, how we have survived and thrived over centuries.
It will not be news to you that Bermudians invented the Bermuda rig which is still used in most of all sailing yachts today [Dec 3].
We are a people of diverse backgrounds and heritage with a fundamental pride in our history and our community – and we know how to welcome the world.
As a people we embody the best qualities of sailors – we are self-reliant and we know how to come together as a team when it matters most.
We have again exhibited those qualities as we emerged from the recent storms.
This, my friends, is one of those times when it matters most! It is now up to us as a community and as individuals to understand and embrace the amazing opportunities now before us.
Winning the bid to host the 2017 America’s Cup is the beginning and it can be the catalyst we need to propel us into a prosperous future.
There is work to be done and jobs to be had.
There will be opportunities for Bermudians in every level of our workforce; including international business, law, real estate, restaurateurs and hospitality, construction… the list is endless, and we see all Bermudians benefiting from the America’s Cup.
There is an investment in our infrastructure and economy that is coming. Such development will live far beyond 2017 as a legacy both to the America’s Cup and Bermuda.
We will have members of the sailing teams and the America’s Cup Event Authority moving here. They will need homes to live in, rooms to redecorate and gardens to be cared for.
They will need offices to rent, restaurants to entertain in and stores to go shopping.
This is exactly the type of stimulus the economy needs. In addition sponsors, media and fans will be visiting from as far away as New Zealand.
Perhaps just as importantly, by winning the bid to host the America’s Cup, we have grabbed the spotlight and turned it towards our Island. That fact alone has people, around the world, sitting up and paying attention.
The America’s Cup is not just a one hit wonder, it will sustain and grow over the next two and a half years.
And let me pause for a moment to announce the first Bermuda Tier 3 sponsor. My sincere thanks and congratulations go to Malcolm Gosling and Goslings.
Goslings will now be the official rum of the 2017 Americas Cup!
Ladies and gentlemen, the America’s Cup will have positive impact throughout our community and will produce lasting legacies for our people.
Many have asked how did our small Island community earn the right to host the 2017 America’s Cup.
Simply by demonstrating our passion, our will, by applying our skills and experience and by emphasizing our strengths as an island.
For over four centuries, the mystique that is Bermuda has been evolving with each generation adding its own contribution. Now there is a new generation of Bermudians ready to write our next chapter.
We have a history of punching above our weight.
And so when we are asked if we can host the America’s Cup, we’ve always answered yes we can!
It’s been said elsewhere but today [Dec 3] it is Bermuda’s turn, today we must say together, yes we can, yes we will and we look forward to it.
We stepped up, we took a risk and we worked hard.
The volume of work, the commitment and focus that has pulled this bid across the line is extraordinary. The pride in this achievement will inspire generations to follow and remind us of what we can do when we pull together.
We have been selected as a steward for the most prestigious yachting trophy in the world and it is our honour to do so.
The world will be watching us, starting next October with the World Series Event and going on into 2017.
When the racing kicks off in the Great Sound, which I believe will be seen as the most spectacular sailing venue on the planet, the world will witness, and never forget, the greatest show on foils.
However before we get there we have a lot of work to do and together we will get the job done.
But tonight… we celebrate.
Bermuda, this is our moment to shine… so, let’s celebrate tonight and then tomorrow let’s get to work, together.
Thank you.
-
Minister Shawn Crockwell’s full statement follows below:
First, let me express how excited I am that Bermuda will be hosting the 35th America’s Cup in 2017. I speak for the entire tourism community when I say that we are grateful that we have been entrusted with this extraordinary and exciting opportunity.
We know that Bermuda is very suitable for the hosting of the America’s Cup sailing events and we know that we will offer a uniquely Bermudian experience.
The world at large will get to see firsthand our stunning imagery, and exceptional sailing locations, always with the azure stage of the ocean of Bermuda and the pastel colours of its houses with white roofs as the backdrop …we know that there is truly no more spectacular location than our wonderful home, Bermuda.
This event will be televised worldwide – live! In Europe, North America, the Pacific Rim, New Zealand, Australia and the Middle East; that is an awesome amount of exposure. Bermuda has never had that amount of exposure at one time.
As the Minister responsible for Tourism I am very encouraged about the impact that this will have on our tourism sector; jobs, entrepreneurial opportunities, increased business in our hotels, restaurants, retail stores, taxi’s, mini-buses…across the board we can expect a real resurgence of our tourism industry.
When the Bermuda Tourism Authority set out to increase sports tourism I am sure they never in their wildest dreams thought we would have an event of this magnitude grace our shores.
Bermuda, this is our opportunity to shine, and it is important that we all come together and work together to ensure that we show the world our best.
Sir Russell, General Harvey Schiller and all in the America’s Cup Event Authority, thank you for believing in Bermuda, thanks Dr. Gibbons and our local team that was engaged to make this happen.
Thank you.
-
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Great news! Our economy is coming back from the dark ages. Empty apartments will be filled, more jobs, more investment for hotels, tourism products etc. Well done OBA.
all I see is the Privileged out there on front street.
Then you weren’t there.
I pity people like you. So sad.
I feel very sorry for you. It must be a lonely, small existence never being able to see good in anything for fear that it will expose the helplessness you feel in your life. The good news is you can change; for Bermuda’s sake I hope you do.
@ Privileged – I agree. We never see so many of them showing support for the Bermuda Day Holiday out in this fashion. Our true Bermudians come out to support ALL events that are great for our little island.
And what stopped you from going to the event? It was free and open to the entire public.
Always a spoiler who will find fault in everything.
whhhaaaaaaambulance alert.
Uhmmmm… everyone was invited, who’s at fault if only a certain sector showed up?
Not that I agree with you. I saw quite a wide range of people out there.
Funny that’s all everyone saw during the 14 years of the PLP. The elite chosen few getting all the cream….
While I don’t disagree with your statement, kindly refrain from using my tag.
…didn’t know there was someone else using the same tag! Any suggestions for a new one….had a hard enough time coming up with this one. It definitely sounds like we both want the same thing at least
Perhaps you should have been there, there was a broad spectrum and it was open to all to come and celebrate as Bermuda. Why didn’t you?
Street was open to all…including you
Yes de Gombeys de high light of de whole event!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well done! Great news!
An absolutely fantastic occasion it had been last evening and we look forward to much more of the same. This is our time Bermuda, lets take advantage of the opportunities that do / will lie ahead…
Very well put together and congratulations to the O.B.A for brainstorming and making this a reality for us all.
judging by the crowd shots, it looks like locals have bought into the idea…which is good. hoping the trickle down works over the next few years, 1990s style
wasn’t able to attend last night just wondering if attendees were allowed to dance behind the Gombey’s – that is true Bermudian Tradition. Congratulations to all involved in the vision and the end results – moving into the positive Bermuda and let us move together
I dont know about 2000 jobs but i definitely do see 5000! Um just sayin!
Let’s hope we get our furlough day back. That dam furlough day is really hurting now
Don’t hold ya breath for de furlough, but de Premier gets THREE salaries.
WTF
You will need to give up one more to fund this.