Seven Videos: America’s Cup Town Hall Meeting
The public were treated to an in-depth presentation on the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series recently at a Town Hall Meeting, and if you missed the presentation you can watch almost two hours of footage from the meeting below.
“Held at St Paul AME Centennial Hall, the meeting drew a crowd of more than 200 to hear details about both the on-shore and on-water activities planned for the event taking place from October 16-18,” the America’s Cup Bermuda [ACBDA] said.
“The focus of the weekend will be on the six America’s Cup teams who are competing on Bermuda’s waters for the first time. The previous two Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series events have been won by Land Rover BAR and Emirates Team New Zealand.
Panel Discussion At America’s Cup Town Hall Meeting
“Racing takes place on the weekend, starting at 2:00pm local time on Saturday October 17 and Sunday October 18.
“On-shore activities will be based on Front Street at the “Our Bermuda” Festival where up to 59 vendors were selected by a committee that included the ACEA, ACBDA, Bermuda Tourism Authority [BTA], Bermuda Economic Development Corporation [BEDC] and the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.
“Successful Bermuda vendors will sell art, jewelry, specialty food and drink and other retail items. The Festival will also include a Fun Zone for families and their children as well as a Fan Zone with large, day-light screens for live viewing of the racing.
Ralph Richardson, On Water Operations Committee Chairman
“Throughout the weekend, a variety of local entertainment will take place on Front Street including; the Royal Bermuda Regiment Band, Gombeys, the Somersfield Steel Pan Band and DJs Rusty G, Chubb and Felix.
“The America’s Cup Jam presented by Fidelity International at the Fan Zone will take place on Saturday night featuring local reggae band The Kings, and international headliners, Spice and Company, Maxi Priest and Shaggy. Bermudian comedian and entertainer Nadanja will MC the concert.”
“It is going to be a fun and active scene on Front Street for the weekend, beginning with the opening ceremony on Friday evening,” said Mike Winfield, CEO of the ACBDA. “The sailors will depart from the docks on Front Street each day so there will be access to the racing and racers even if you don’t want to go out on the water.”
Sam Hollis, COO of the ACEA
“For those who do want to get onto the water to watch the racing, there are options for spectators with or without their own boats.
“Island Tour Centre will be coordinating a fleet of official public spectator boats that will line the race course. Tickets for these independently operated charter boats can be purchased online at the Island Tour Centre website.”
“For those taking their own boats to watch the races, organisers are requesting that boats less than 50 feet in length register online prior to the event. This registration is free, while boats of 50 feet or longer must pay a $100 registration fee. Boat registration can also be done on the Island Tour Centre website.
Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of the ACEA
“In both cases boat owners will be added to a database so that they can receive important updates and safety information both with regards to the location of the race course and the policies that will govern it, plus future Americas Cup information and events.
“The racing is scheduled to take place in the Great Sound just outside the entrance to Two Rock Passage, although organisers were keen to point out that weather conditions could result in the America’s Cup Race Management [ACRM] team changing the location and distance of the race course on short notice.”
“This is a large scale operation where safety is of paramount importance in coordinating the on water spectator fleet,” said Ralph Richardson, Chairman of the ACBDA On Water Operations Committee.
“We will have a fleet of about 80 official volunteer marshall boats, as well as support from the Marine Police, Bermuda Regiment and Bermuda Fire Service.
Dean Barker, Skipper and CEO of SoftBank Team Japan
“There will be exclusion zones and both public and VIP spectator zones so it is very important that people understand where they are allowed and not allowed to go.”
“Regulations include the enforcement of a 5-knot no wake zone around the race course and no boat traffic in the ships channel from Two Rock into Hamilton Harbour during the racing.”
“These boats are capable of incredible speeds so boaters need to stay well clear while they are racing,” continued Mr Richardson.
“The second race of each day is currently scheduled to finish in the Harbour so we need to keep the channel clear and boats will not be permitted to follow the racers down the channel. It’s not like the Long Distance Race or the Fitted Dinghys.”
Mike Winfield CEO of the ACBDA
“The Town Hall meeting also featured an introduction and welcome for the newest America’s Cup’s addition to the Bermuda community, Dean Barker, CEO and Skipper for SoftBank Team Japan.
“Mr Barker and several of his senior team members have already relocated to Bermuda and the rest of the team will follow later in the year. Team Japan will have its racing base near the Oracle Team USA base in Dockyard.
“Earlier in the presentation, Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of the ACEA, gave an update of the America’s Cup Endeavour Community Sailing programme, which starts later this month in St. George’s.
Dr Grant Gibbons, Minister for Economic Development
“Sir Russell explained that Endeavour is an experiential learning programme that teaches Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math, or STEAM, through the lens of sailing.
“It will reach all Bermuda’s youth between 9-12 years of age and will also have a base in the West End by the spring of next year.
“All this and other important details were revealed during the presentation that also included a panel discussion with Dr. Grant Gibbons, Minister for Economic Development, Mr Richardson, Sir Russell and Peter Durhager, Chairman of the ACBDA.”
The promotional flyer for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series follows below [PDF here]:
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Thank you!
so…. If your boat is 49 ft, it’s free.. If it’s 50 ft it’s $100… Not much of a sliding scale….and where does the money go?
If you can afford a 50 foot boat then stop whining :p
Gunna be on my Lilo with a piece of plywood I found as my oar.
FOR WHATTTTT!!!!!!
First of all I would like to thank all the people involved in bringing this fantastic event to Bermuda . I also hope that all Bermudians get involved with the event . It seems that a lot of Bermudians have no idea how big this is and how much exposure we will get world wide ! Take advantage of the educational programs they will provide for the kids .Everyone is going to feel the financial benefits . Keep the faith !!!
Unfortunately it appears just about anything unique to some known as, “common Bermudians” that’s introduced by an outsider is no good.
The vast majority of Bermudians, “don’t have a pot to piss into nor a window to toss it out of” complain about everything that can / will better life for them as well as for others e.g. jobs for starters and the list goes on and on.
Look, the Bermuda dollars are worth a dollar only here on this Island and absolutely nothing anywhere else in the world therefore we need foreign investors especially the U.S.A. So cut the crap a open your eyes! Bermuda is in a rut and needs foreign investment and yes foreigners will come with them