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Another year of this magnificent event is nearly at a close, as the America’s Cup heads into the final match today between Sweden and New Zealand to decide who will challenge Oracle for the trophy. The Cup is the oldest sporting trophy in history, so it doesn’t get much more prestigious for the sailors who take part. The cup’s origins came about in 1851, when a syndicate of New Yorkers brought their schooner, AMERICA, to the UK to race in regattas. She won her first race around the Isle of Wight and then went on to enjoy the longest run of consecutive wins in the sport from 1870 onwards, until finally being beaten by AUSTRALIA II in 1983.
As the event gets larger and larger on each occasion, so too does the fleet of spectating superyachts which descend upon the racecourse with their owners and charter guests in-tow. There really is no finer way to enjoy the spectacle, so we thought we would put together a collection of first-hand experiences from onboard the superyachts attending the America’s Cup 2017 in Bermuda so, you know, you don’t feel left out…
From your own berth in the America’s Cup Race Village
The Old Navy Dockyard is the home of this years AC race village. Already one of Bermuda’s most popular destinations, it is currently one of the most talked about places in the yachting world. It is the centre of all the action and is hosting numerous events for visitors to enjoy as well as providing a number of prime superyacht berths for those lucky enough to be visiting by water.
Landrover-BAR meets M/Y MARCATO
This is a fantastic shot of explorer yacht MARCATO getting up close to the action. It looks as though she may be trying to challenge Ben Ainslie’s GBR team to a race! Given that a foiling AC50 can get up to speeds of around 40 knots in the right wind conditions, we’re thinking there would be a clear winner here…
Best seat in the house? It has to be Feadship SAVANNAH
83m Superyacht SAVANNAH, built by Feadship, was one the most talked about yachts to hit the water in 2015. Not only is she beautiful to look at, she is also cutting edge as one the very few hybrid yachts on the water; due to the combination of her diesel engine with three electric generators and a battery pack. Occupying one of the top spots at this year’s Cup, both on the water and in the marina, this photo was snapped from inside the village by one of SAVANNAH’s lucky guests.
Right on the racing line: MY JO
Without actually taking part in the racing it would be difficult to get much closer than the Benetti charter yacht JO, who looks as though she may be trying to muscle in on the action! When the America’s Cup first took place more than 100 years ago most spectators would have watched from the shore. Nowadays the best seats in the house are on the water and those spectators onboard JO must have been pretty smug thinking how lucky they were to be almost on the racetrack! See if you can spot the captain watching from his wing station in one of the pics above!
SY MARAE captures the action
Whilst all those watching the action from the deck of MY JO will have seen some incredible racing from close quarters, another yacht not wanting to be outdone is SY MARAE. Her guests captured this incredible footage from her decks, no doubt with a dark ‘n’ stormy in hand! From this video it looks as though you could practically jump aboard the AC50 as it speeds past (although it is unlikely you would be very popular if you tried it).
The America’s Cup cushions
Surely this is the only souvenir anyone is going to want to take home this year? Perhaps a little space consuming for the suitcase, so we suggest we leave them onboard your superyacht as one can never have enough throw-cushions for their sundeck… these eye-catching delights will be a must at your next yacht party. IN this picture you can see Feadship’s ROCK.IT looking on, presumably with jealously as she is yet to obtain these cushions for her own sofas.
Old meets new
Back when this all began, it was the J Class that you’d see out sailing in these races. It is amazing to think how much the technology and design have changed over the years, but also incredible to think that these historic boats (some of which are racing in the America’s Cup J-Class Regatta later this week) laid the foundations for such an important and prestigious sailing event. Fabulous too to see SAVANNAH in the background- helping to show the ever changing landscape of the yachting world and how much has changed in the last one hundred years.
Thank you as always to the America’s Cup for another jaw-dropping racing event, we can’t wait to find out who will be victorious!
