The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series Sails Into Bermuda This October

NEW YORK, Sept. 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The 35th America's Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton, will be held in Bermuda in 2017. But the #RaceToBermuda has already started with the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, including one event set in Bermuda October 16-18, 2015. Avid sailing fans and stylish social sets can catch the world's greatest sailors vying for glory across the island's legendary turquoise waters just a quick flight from the U.S. East Coast.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150914/266364

The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series (October 16-18, 2015) is the first opportunity to see all of the America's Cup teams racing in Bermuda. It's the perfect preview of the thrills to come in 2017 – and the island is putting on a weekend long party to celebrate. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off of North Carolina's coast, and less than a two-hour non-stop flight from most eastern US airports, Bermuda is the perfect spot for a fall getaway during the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series.

"The Bermuda Tourism Authority is thrilled to have worked with the America's Cup team to demonstrate the incredible experience and hospitality our island country offers participating teams, organizers and visitors alike," said Bill Hanbury, CEO of the Bermuda Tourism Authority.

During the recent Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series event in Portsmouth, Great Britain, Bermuda launched the #RaceToBermuda hashtag on social media. The Bermuda Tourism Authority will use this platform to engage with a worldwide audience about Bermuda's travel story.

The Best Sailing Venue on the Planet
The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series will take place over three days in Hamilton and on Bermuda's Great Sound, where steady ocean breezes mix with flat, fast waters, making it arguably the best sailing venue on the planet. This intimate, natural amphitheater offers a wide range of superb vantage points, with crystal blue waters and pink sand beaches creating a spectacular backdrop for the action.

The Competition
The event is a chance for the sailing teams to put points on the board – points that carry forward into the next stage of the competition. A team's overall ranking position in the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series events will determine its starting points score in the America's Cup Qualifiers in 2017. All eyes will be on ORACLE TEAM USA, who won the previous two America's Cups in 2010 and 2013 – and the team is looking to make good on a "three-peat" in 2017.  

Where To Watch
Front Street in the City of Hamilton is where you want to be to take in the race – the FanZone on the No. 1 Dock offers unobstructed views of the finish line and is free to the public. Or fans can take to the water for a "front row" seat: tickets will soon be available at www.islandtourcenter.com for spots on public spectator boats that will provide viewing opportunities from reserved spaces along the edge of the racecourse. A range of different vessels are being offered, with prices starting from $75 per person per day to watch both races. Food and drink will be available for purchase on board the vessels, which offer a three-hour experience, leaving from Hamilton by 1pm and returning around 4pm. 

For those not in Bermuda to witness the event in person, NBC Sports will broadcast the  Louis Vuitton America's World Series racing on Sunday, October 18^th at 2pm EDT in the United States,  while fans from around the world can download the America's Cup App from www.americascup.com for a full interactive experience (subject to territorial restrictions).

The Celebration
The Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series will be complemented by a three-day celebration. The Our Bermuda Festival (free and open to the public) on Front Street will show off the best of the island, including local food and drink, live entertainment, fireworks, family friendly activities and much more. Highlights include:

• An exciting Opening Ceremony on Friday, October 16, followed by fireworks over the Great Sound
• An Arts & Crafts Village, showcasing the best of Bermuda's local creative community
• A concert at sunset (around 8:00 PM) on Saturday, October 17 featuring internationally acclaimed reggae fusion artists Shaggy and Maxi Priest as well as Caribbean Soca band Spice & Company at No. 1 Dock on Hamilton Harbour. For tickets, visit: http://ptix.bm/ACJam
• The Taste of Bermuda food court, offering a wide array of only-in-Bermuda food, drink and flavours

Hotel Packages
The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, A Fairmont Hotel – Overlooking the stunning blue waters of the Hamilton Harbour, the "Grand Dame of Bermuda resorts" was recently named the Official Host Hotel for the America's Cup. Its world-class accommodations and celebrated restaurants provide a perfect Bermuda experience for guests coming to enjoy the ACWS. (Limited availability)

Race to Bermuda Package – Enjoy the luxury of Fairmont Southampton's superb resort location and then take a complimentary transfer into Hamilton to visit the America's Cup Event Village, featuring great spots to watch the races and plenty of FanZone festivities.

Please contact hotels for more information. Additional fees and restrictions may apply.

About Bermuda:  This 21-square mile island, located in the Atlantic Ocean off of North Carolina's coast is a two-hour non-stop flight from most eastern US airports, features mild year-round weather, championship golf, a vast array of watersports, legendary pink sand beaches, and a wealth of historic sites. Bermuda will host the 35th America's Cup presented by Louis Vuitton in June of 2017. Start planning your "proper fun" vacation and visit www.gotobermuda.com, www.facebook.com/BermudaTourism and www.twitter.com/GoToBermuda.

About the America's Cup: The America's Cup is the oldest trophy in international sport, dating back to 1851, when the yacht America, after which the trophy is named, beat the best of the British fleet in a race around the Isle of Wight, U.K. The trophy won on that day was donated in trust through a Deed of Gift and has since become a symbol of immense achievement. It is perhaps the hardest trophy in sport to win. In its 165-year history, only four countries have managed to win the America's Cup.

The America's Cup is currently held by the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco. On September 25, 2013, its team, ORACLE TEAM USA, completed the biggest comeback in sports to retain the trophy it had first won in 2010. On December 2, 2014, Bermuda was named as the home of the 35th America's Cup, with the iconic Great Sound as the race course area where the new America's Cup Class boats (15-meter, foiling, wing-sailed catamarans) from each competing nation will race for the America's Cup in May/June 2017.

The America's Cup is honored to partner with Louis Vuitton as the title partner of the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers and the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs. Louis Vuitton is also the presenting partner of the 35th America's Cup Match, presented by Louis Vuitton.

The America's Cup is also proud to be supported by BMW, Bremont, ORACLE, the Bermuda Tourism Authority, and Gosling's as well as: Appleby, BF&M, Butterfield, Butterfield & Vallis, Moet & Chandon, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, PwC and Sail Racing. America's Cup updates are also available on your mobile device. Go to the App Store to download the official America's Cup App.

#RaceToBermuda

MEDIA CONTACT:
Lauren Ryback
[email protected]
Turner Public Relations
(212) 889-1700

SOURCE Bermuda Tourism Authority

Related Links

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