Bermuda is a buzz with the America’s Cup (AC). In 2013 Team Oracle USA won the 34th America’s Cup and selected Bermuda to host the 35th event. The prize is the Auld Mug and the winner is determined by one on one match races between the holder of the cup, the Defender and a Challenger. The Challenger is determined by a series of fleet round robin races and then match racing type playoffs. At present we’re enjoying the semi-final playoffs.

I believe Bermuda is best known for the said mysteries of the “triangle”. This area is the water between Bermuda, USA and the Bahamas. Statistically speaking there has been no increase in number of the unexplained loss of ships or aeroplanes in this area compared with other geographic regions. That said, Bermuda is an archipelago of more than 180 islands with the main island joined by a network of bridges. While technically is a British territory, it became an English colony in 1684 and thus the oldest British Colony. The population is a mere 70,000 and we’ve found the people so helpful and friendly. We love Bermuda with its clean, neat 1800 type English architecture, the village laneways and practical gardens. These are all set in a near sub-tropical environment and surrounded by beautiful beaches.

America’s Cup (“AC”) Day 1 – We had anchored in the designated area, a secluded group of islands that are less than 2nm from Hamilton and little further to the AC Village and only a less than 100 meters to the race track. It was perplexing to find that it was just Aura, Tourterelle and Jiyu. No other yachts… we wondered if we’d anchored in the correct place or had the triangle teleported everybody to another reality. Anyway, we jumped on board Jiyu’s dingy and watched the day one action while bouncing around the Official Sponsor boats.

AC – Day number …..um not sure now, yep we’ve lost track of it. We started with watching the race from the yacht club (RBYC) and then from an acquaintances (friends friend) garden on the top of the neighbouring island beach house. La Mischief arrived; we hadn’t seen Steve (from Perth) and DeAnne since Australia Day in Martinique. Lady Rebel (Ken & Jen) arrived before us and had anchored at White Island just off the Hamilton harbour. Clem the manager of RPYC Annex and his partner had also arrived. El Gato (Eric & Annie we met at Guadeloupe) were due to fly in and join us. The scene was set for the AC action.

La Mischief is a Lagoon 421, perfect for watching the AC. Steve’s guests Kev (and partner Di) would kindly be our Uber dingy driver, collecting us each morning for another day on the water. Each day we anchored on the edge of the course, close to the race marks so to position ourselves at the optimal viewing positions. We have cheered and supported all the teams, now we are backing NZ.

Our next few blog posts will be more images and less text, self-explanatory.