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There are few things more intimidating on the water than suddenly finding yourself in the middle of a practice race for the America’s Cup. The oldest trophy in international sport is being contested in Bermuda for the first time in June 2017, but teams have been based on the Atlantic island for months, training for yachting’s most prestigious prize, with Sir Ben Ainslie competing for the UK.
Despite this, I assumed a quiet Saturday morning boat trip during my visit would involve a spot of snorkelling, some envious gawping at the palatial pastel-coloured houses along the coast and perhaps even a sun-baked picnic on board. Instead, the yachts from Artemis Racing, Oracle Team USA and SoftBank Team Japan suddenly swept in from nowhere across our path, flanked by speedboats in a blur of enormous, majestic sails. This awe-inspiring – if a little nerve-wracking – spectacle later turned out to be both a one-off race to commemorate former Olympic sailor Andrew Simpson and
Luna Rossa, the yacht that the Prada Pirelli team hopes will win them the America’s Cup
The America s Cup is Formula 1 on water, where hi-tech yachts achieve once-unimaginable speeds while competing for the oldest international sports trophy in the world - known affectionately as the Auld Mug . And for the past four years Patrizio Bertelli, billionaire co-CEO of global fashion group Prada, has had his fingers crossed that the Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli team will, after 20 years of competing, finally sail to victory - although the New Zealand team has just opened up a lead with back to back wins in the final stages which come to a close on March 21.
Such is life these days for Thompson, who was recently given the title Television and Public Host of the 35th America's Cup. It is a role the former Annapolis resident has longed to hold ever since he was a teenager and watched Gary Jobson broadcast the America's Cup on ESPN.
America s Cup: Why abandoned race day won t worry Team NZ stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.