During the summer of 2017, the best sailors and the fastest boats in the world will compete for yachting’s biggest prize, the oldest in international sport. For 162 years, the America’s Cup has held a captivating allure for magnates and moguls as the pinnacle of international sailing. Next year the 35th America’s Cup races will take place in the beautiful aquatic amphitheater of Great Sound, Bermuda.

America’s Cup History

The name “America’s Cup” actually comes from the name of the yacht that won the original 100 Guinea Cup in England in 1851, not the country. The owners of the schooner America donated the trophy to the New York Yacht Club under a Deed of Gift and declared that the trophy was to be “a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between nations.”

Competition times and places are worked out between the Cup defender and challengers, so races don’t happen every year. The United States successfully defended the America’s Cup for 132 years until Australia won it in 1983. It traded hands between New Zealand, the U.S., and Switzerland before coming back to America in 2010.

In 2017, all eyes will be on Bermuda as challengers battle for the chance to race the Cup holder in the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers & Challenger Playoffs May 26 – June 12. Then the U.S. will defend the prized trophy against the top challenger at the exciting America’s Cup Match held on June 17 – 18 and 24 – 27, 2017. For spectators, the America’s Cup Village at the Royal Naval Dockyard will be the center of the action with team bases, a pit row, entertainment, and food.

Bermuda

Bermuda is an isolated bit of paradise in the western Atlantic Ocean comprised of 181 islands, so naturally, it has a long maritime history. In addition to being a stunning setting with sparkling blue-green water and distinctive pink sand beaches, the racing conditions are exceptional in Bermuda with temperate weather and the challenge of unpredictable winds.

Bermuda is a self-governing British territory that is full of charm and sophistication. As such, residents and visitors enjoy many of the Motherland’s traditional activities including cricket and afternoon tea. It’s a safe, clean, polite, and relatively formal destination. Travel Maestro tip: Swimsuits are strictly for the beach and dining often requires dressing up.

For golfers, Bermuda is paradise with a wealth of top-quality public and private courses to play. Tennis is equally popular with more than 100 courts on the islands. Travel Maestro tip: Dress codes may apply: no shorts on some golf courses and tennis whites required at many courts. Inquire ahead of play.

There are many excellent restaurants in Bermuda serving very fine food, including bounteous local seafood, Continental, American, British, Asian and Indian foods. Travel Maestro tip: Bermuda is relatively expensive, compared to the U.S. Expect restaurant prices to follow suit.

However, as a British territory, Bermuda offers great shopping buys for British and European goods such as bone china, crystal, and woolens. The lack of sales tax makes the prices even better. Travel Maestro tip: French perfume is a particularly good buy and is customs duty-free.

There are no car rentals, but public transportation is clean and reliable. Travel Maestro tip: Scooters are available for rent, but use abundant caution if you aren’t an experienced rider.

The island is awash in reliable sunshine and colorful flowers and trees, making it a lovely, upscale destination for the America’s Cup races or other sports vacations. As Mark Twain famously wrote, “You go to heaven if you want. I’d rather stay here in Bermuda.”

To attend the 2017 America’s Cup races or plan any Bermuda getaway, contact the vacation experts at Covington Travel.