Island of Bermuda Now Contender to Host the 2017 America’s Cup
Russell Coutts, ORACLE TEAM USA chief executive
ACEA/Oracle
Newport, Rhode Island did not make the cut, nor did Hawaii. Four contenders to host the races remain: San Diego, San Francisco, Chicago and Bermuda. Why Bermuda? It’s close to the East Coast and Europe for a good time zone value and has a beautiful natural amphitheater setting much like the San Francisco Bay – good for shore and television viewing. Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory (under jurisdiction of the UK), 640 mi. east of North Carolina and 1,110 mi. northeast of Miami. Chicago also is in a better time zone for television viewing for the East Coast and Europe.
Other factors besides the time zone, according to Oracle Team USA chief executive Russell Coutts, include actual public interest in sailing around the venue and opportunities for sponsorships and other commercial activities. (SportBusiness website June 6, 2014 Read more)
San Francisco is still a frontrunner and talks with the City of SF are resuming today, June 6. Though fans were hoping to hear the venue announcement later this month, it may not be announced until the end of the year.
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