Argo Group Gold Cup reigning champion Johnie Berntsson has one message to his rivals: Be prepared for a repeat.
Berntsson, the No. 10-ranked match race sailor in the world (based on the July 22, 2015, ISAF rankings), is among a stellar group of skippers who’ve confirmed their entry for the prestigious Argo Group Gold Cup, scheduled Oct. 6th – 11th, and hosted by the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. Entries have also been received from world No. 1 Ian Williams of Great Britain, No. 3 Eric Monnin of Switzerland, No. 5 Björn Hansen of Sweden and America’s Cup teams Artemis Racing and Softbank Team Japan, which will be skippered by Dean Barker of New Zealand, who is a past match racing world champion.
But on September 19th we will find out who from Bermuda will earn the right to be a part of the 2015 event.
Officials at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club explained to www.islandstats.com, that only one spot is available for this year’s event that will take place in the Hamilton Harbor.
Officials are anticipating a battle between four or six boats challenging for the right to sail in one of Bermuda Long Serving Major Events for years.
The America’s Cup Bermuda (ACBDA) will host a public Town Hall meeting on Thursday, September 17th from 5:30pm to 7:00pm at the St Paul AME Centennial Hall in Hamilton.
The meeting will provide the public with a progress report on the 35th America’s Cup along with important up-to-date details on the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series event taking place from October 16th – 18th in Bermuda this year.
“Even before Bermuda earned the right to host the 2017 America’s Cup finals, we were awarded the hosting of an America’s Cup World Series event,” said Mike Winfield, CEO of the ACBDA. “This is an extremely exciting opportunity in its own right, with Bermuda being in front of literally millions of viewers. We want to make the sure the Bermuda public is aware of all the activities surrounding next month’s event.”
The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series will see racing between all six America’s Cup Teams, while Front Street will host the “Our Bermuda” Festival and Event Village, including a concert featuring international headliners.
The community will be informed about all the activities making up the Festival and Event Village, as well as important viewing and safety information for on-water spectators of the racing.
In addition to these updates, the public will learn more about the Endeavour Community Sailing programme and hear from a panel of speakers including the Minister of Economic Development Dr. Grant Gibbons; America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) CEO Sir Russell Coutts; and ACBDA Chairman, Peter Durhager.
