Elite Traveler November-December 2016

Bermuda may be known for its pink sand beaches and colorful namesake shorts , but it will soon be synonymous with one of the most prestigious sporting events in the world – one that will draw upon the island’s rich maritime history and its longstanding tradition of open-ocean navigating. “The America’s Cup is the pinnacle of international sailing,” says Bermuda Premier Michael Dunkley who – along with his team of public, private and tourism representatives – successfully outbid respected sailing venues including San Diego, Newport, Rhode Island and San Francisco, which hosted the regatta in 2013. Make no mistake, the America’s Cup (May 26 – June 20, 2017) will be the biggest show in town when it arrives in Bermuda next year, which is why the island is diligently preparing for its wealthiest visitors. “We might expect to see as many as 100 superyachts during the stretch of activities in 2017,” says Bermuda Tourism Authority CEO Bill Hanbury. “Over a six-week period that could generate over $14 million in on-island spending,” says Hanbury. “For that reason, we see superyachts as a tremendous opportunity for Bermuda, not only for the America’s Cup, but as a legacy benefit as well. We want to keep them coming back again and again long after the America’s Cup is over.” For superyacht owners and ultra-high-net-worth individuals seeking to charter a vessel for the event, public and private investments of up to $100 million are underway to develop local island infrastructure to support the spate of expected arrivals. Most notably, this has been in the form of the Princess Marina − a new, state-of-the-art, full-service facility, including sea-view restaurant from celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson − at the

GETTING AROUND Cedar Aviation Services Limited offer full FBO services at LF Wade International Airport. They also provide transport and concierge services.

Atlantic Ocean

L.F. Wade International Airport (BDA)

Royal Naval Dockyard

35th America's Cup Race Course

Bermuda Island

Atlantic Ocean

Above: Colorful houses lining Hamilton Harbour. Right: British Land Rover BAR team yacht racing in the America's Cup. Opposite page: Overlooking Granaway Deep

Photos: Pietro Canali/SIME/4Corners Images; Lloyd Images; ACEA 2016 /Photo Ricardo Pinto; Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images