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Bermuda will be flaunting its sea legs on the world’s stage, as it will play host to the 2017 America’s Cup. It was announced Tuesday that the island nation beat out San Diego for the honor, which has hosted the yacht sailing race three times before.
It’s a big change for the Cup, as the event is usually held off the mainland of the US, and instead will be on the British island. It’s the first time the regatta will sail international waters by choice rather than necessity. In 2013, Oracle Team USA came from behind to beat Emirates Team New Zealand in the 34th America’s Cup in San Francisco. As defending champions, Oracle (owned by software billionaire Larry Ellison) got to choose the site for the next America’s Cup, held every four years.
According to the head of the Oracle team, Russell Coutts, the new location will help accommodate European TV viewers with its Atlantic time zone. It was also spurred by the plans for an America’s Cup Village at the Royal Naval Dockyard. The spot overlooks the racecourse, so spectators will be able to see the entire track. How the island, home to less than 65,000 inhabitants, will accommodate the influx of sailing enthusiasts is the next point of intrigue.
