This week, (22 – 24 July 2016) the race to Bermuda returns to British waters as the Louis Vuitton America's Cup World Series takes place in Portsmouth. With less than a year to go until the 35th America's Cup Match in Bermuda, sailing  fans have the opportunity to not only watch in Portsmouth but can now book to watch the world's most prestigious sailing event in June 2017.

The America's Cup World Series Portsmouth is one of three remaining qualifying events which will see the six international teams, including the British team - Land Rover BAR - led by Sir Ben Ainslie, battle it out on the waters of The Solent to determine rankings for the 35th America's Cup in Bermuda.

Bermuda's history and sailing heritage provides perfect synergy with the America's Cup. At its essence, the 21-square mile island is a marine environment and thanks to its position in the Atlantic Ocean benefits from a temperate year-round climate and near perfect sailing conditions to challenge even the world's greatest sailors.  

The America's Cup has been a catalyst for creating a new sense of energy about the island. A new marina has recently opened in Hamilton and a super yachts programme has been developed, which includes the opening of an additional marina at Morgan's Point next spring. A number of hotels have been refurbished, the full service Exhale Spa has recently opened at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club and four new hotels are scheduled to open over the next two years. The Royal Naval Dockyard will be the location of the 2017 race village and the area is already a hub of activity with America's Cup teams opening their bases. 

A Taste of Bermuda in Portsmouth

Tickets are still available to watch the action at the America's Cup World Series Portsmouth at www.lvacwsportsmouth.com, which will be attended by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Spectators can also get a taste for Bermuda at the interactive experience in the race village and find out more about the sub-tropical destination.

Watch the 35th America's Cup, 2017, in Bermuda

The 35th America's Cup presented by Louis Vuitton will take place on the intimate 'Great Sound' with a stunning backdrop of crystal blue waters, pink sand beaches and candy-coloured buildings. Combined with the welcoming spirit and famed Bermudian hospitality, experiencing the world's most prestigious sailing race first-hand in Bermuda will be a momentous occasion. 

The Louis Vuitton America's Cup qualifiers and final match will run over four weeks throughout June 2017;

• 26th May – 5th June: Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers
• 7th June – 12th June: Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Playoffs
• 17th June – 27th June: America's Cup Match presented by Louis Vuitton

Travel Places, the official America's Cup tour operator, is offering specialist holidays to Bermuda for the big event in 2017. The Qualifiers Package is from £1,275 ($1688*) per person or the Challenger Package from £1320 ($1747*) per person, prices based on a five night stay at the Fairmont Southampton with two persons sharing, on a room only basis. The Finals Package is from £1500 ($1984*) per person, based on five night stay at the Coco Reef on a B&B basis. All packages include airport transfers, two official on-water spectator tickets and an America's Cup baseball cap. For more information visit www.americascuptravel.com or call 01903 832 888. 

Flights are available from British Airways from £679per person www.ba.com

Fred Olsen is offering the Azores & the America's Cup Cruise from £3,299per person. The 26 night cruise on the Boudicca departs Liverpool on 9th June and includes a three night stay in Bermuda. Fred Olsen will also be offering a programme of exciting shore tours to allow guests to make the most of this pinnacle of international sailing. For more information visit www.fredolsencruises.com or call on 0800 0355 242.

For more information on what's happening in Bermuda to celebrate the America's Cup visit www.GoToBermuda.co.uk

*Travel Places prices are charged in $dollars, price quoted in £'s based on exchange rate as of 13th July 2016.  

Notes to Editors:

The new hotels scheduled to open in 2017 are The Loren at Pink Beach (due to open in Jan 2017), the St George's Resort (a St Regis development) and the Ariel Sands (the former Pink Beach Club), which is undergoing renovations. The Ritz-Carlton Reserve Caroline Bay at Morgan's Point is scheduled to open in 2018.

The number of marina berths is expected to grow from 45 to 120 over the next five years. This includes the new capacity for 77 boats and 21 superyachts at the new Morgan's Point marina and the expansion of St George's marina has just been approved. An additional 90 berthing positions are anticipated for visiting vessels for the America's Cup in 2017. 

Forthcoming America's Cup World Series Events:

• 23 – 24 July 2016 Portsmouth
• 10 – 11 September Toulon
• 19 - 20 November Fukuoka

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact the Bermuda UK press office: Bermuda.ukpressoffice@goshpr.co.uk or call 0207 8712915

About Bermuda 
Located in the Atlantic Ocean, south east of New York, the mid-haul sub-tropical paradise of Bermuda is only a seven hour flight from London. Offering a unique combination of British charm and island soul, Bermuda enjoys year-round temperate climate with legendary pink sand beaches, a wealth of historic sites and vast array of water sports, outdoors activities and championship golf courses.

Bermuda is the home of the 35th America's Cup in 2017. The world's most prestigious sailing event brings with it a new generation of sailing and energy to the destination, This is also reflected in the new generation of more adventurous and experience seeking travellers who are attracted to the 'Proper Fun' Bermuda offers. For more information visit www.gotobermuda.co.uk or follow www.facebook.com/BermudaTourism and www.twitter.com/Bermuda