Sir Russell Coutts Reflects On The 35th America’s Cup

The day after Emirates Team New Zealand won the 35th America’s Cup in Bermuda, Sir Russell Coutts, CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority, gave his thoughts on a magnificent America’s Cup in Bermuda.

“No doubt there are a lot of Kiwis waking up with a headache today, and they deserve the celebrations that will have taken place in Bermuda, in New Zealand and around the world. The achievements of their team are incredible, and in doing so have captivated the hearts and minds of millions of sports fans worldwide.

“I am sure that everyone can agree the events staged in Bermuda helped make this one of the greatest America’s Cup yet. We had fabulous racing in the America’s Cup itself, some of the most beautiful, iconic yachts came to Bermuda during the America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta and the America’s Cup J Class Regatta, and we saw the next generation showcase their talents in the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup.

“Bermuda itself has been an wonderful home to the 35th America’s Cup and on behalf of everyone associated with these events, I want to say thank you to the people of Bermuda who made our stay here so special. This is a beautiful island, a brilliant sailing venue and it has given us the platform to stage a truly magnificent America’s Cup, where many thousands came in person, and watched on television in their millions. Bermuda delivered in every way. I urge anyone who has not been to Bermuda to visit, where you will fall in love with what we have been privileged to call our home since 2015.

“On a personal level, I also want to highlight what has been and will be achieved by the America’s Cup Endeavour Program, and I hope this initiative continues into the 36th America’s Cup and beyond. We have given thousands of children the chance to try sailing for the first time, we have embedded sailing as a platform into the school curriculum in Bermuda, to teach children a range of STEAM subjects, and we have given hundreds of young people the chance to compete in their own regattas on the same water used for the America’s Cup. That is an incredible legacy and one that can be replicated around the world. Sailing is a force for good and I believe the America’s Cup Endeavour Program harnesses the power of sailing in a hugely valuable initiative. Who knows, perhaps the next Peter Burling has already started their journey in sailing through the program. Time will tell!

“To conclude – this was a truly memorable chapter in the history of the America’s Cup, thank you to Bermuda and congratulations Emirates Team New Zealand, both world class in every respect.”

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