Russell Coutts Expects America’s Cup to Remember

As the countdown to the 2017 America’s Cup enters the final week, New Zealander Sir Russell Coutts, 55, anticipates Bermuda getting swept away in the feel-good factor of the Cup and has urged the island to “make it a month to remember”.

Coutts – CEO of the America’s Cup Event Authority – believes there is a palpable feeling of excitement in the air. The five-times winner of the “Auld Mug” has been overwhelmed by the public buy-in and expects people to be amazed when they finally witness the racing machines in full flight in the Great Sound.

“I think a few people don’t understand just what it’s going to be like; it’s going to be fantastic,” Coutts told the Royal Gazette.

“I hope people take time to enjoy the moment, the feel-good factor of hosting such an event, because there’s a lot to be proud of with this island. It’s a magical place and this event will really showcase that.

“I’ve been super-impressed with the attitude of the people and they haven’t even seen the event yet.”

Coutts said the race for the oldest trophy in international sport was building up to be the best in the history of the sailing event.

The 2017 America’s Cup will be contested by Oracle Team USA. The Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers begin on 26 May.

Olympic gold medallist Peter Burling, 26, will helm Team New Zealand’s SL33 foiling catamaran. While New Zealander Dean Barker, 44, heads Softbank Team Japan.

Original article by Stephen Wright, The Royal Gazette, May 19, 2017.