Life after the America’s Cup

While the economic, social and environmental impact report for the 35th America’s Cup remains stuck in the hands of the government, though promising how the public will learn “in the very near future” how well the econoguestimaters did on their forecast, there is other news to report.

The Bermuda Tourism Authority predicted a series of eight sailing events between March and July in 2018 will bring thousands of visitors to the island and fill the quay.

The schedule, which included regular events like the 88th Bermuda International Invitational Race Week and the 51st Newport Bermuda Race, also had at least two events — the Oyster Regatta Bermuda and the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta — which came as the result of the America’s Cup.

Pat Phillip-Fairn, BTA chief product and experiences development officer, said: “Building on the legacy of Bermuda’s sailing heritage and her acclaimed hosting of the 35th America’s Cup, the 2018 Bermuda sailing calendar is turning out to be very exciting, a thrill for any sailing enthusiast.”

The BTA added that talks were under way to bring additional sailing events to the island in 2018 and 2019.

The schedule will start with the Moth World Championships in March, with the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week held in April. Three events are listed for May — the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the Antigua Bermuda Race and the Oyster Regatta Bermuda.

The Annapolis Bermuda Ocean Race and the Newport Bermuda Race will both be held in July and the Bermuda-Hamburg leg of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta is scheduled for July.

Hopefully these events can co-exist with the marine environment on the Great Sound of Bermuda, as the America’s Cup required the capture and containment of all the sea turtles to limit their slaughter during the competition.