EXCLUSIVE: Royal Yacht Squadron Chair Talks Of America's Cup Hopes On Isle Of Wight

Isle of Wight Radio's been speaking to the Chairman of one of the world's most prestigious sailing clubs - after it was revealed the Island could host the battle for sport's oldest trophy - America's Cup.

EXCLUSIVE - scroll for a video and interview…

As previously reported by Isle of Wight Radio, the next America’s Cup sailing spectacle could take place off the Isle of Wight.

It will be the 37th Cup and would take the event back to its 1851 roots - when the trophy was first competed for off the Island.

At the time, the Royal Yaught Squadron, Cowes put out a challenge to a number of yacht clubs to race around the Island.

It was won by the Americans - and the boat that won it was called America - which is how the race gets its name.

After around 150 years of the American’s keeping hold of the trophy, the Australians managed to eventually wrestle it off them.

It was most recently contested on the inner Hauraki Gulf off Auckland, New Zealand, between the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and Circolo della Vela Sicilia of Italy. Team New Zealand successfully retained the Auld Mug.

L to R: Aaron Young, Commodore of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Club, Bertie Bicket, Chairman of Royal Yacht Squadron Racing and Sir Ben Ainslie, Team Prinicipal of INEOS TEAM UK

“It would be an incredible spectacle”

It is up to the defender (in this case the Kiwis) to choose the venue of the next event - traditionally the defender defends in their own country. However, is not unheard of for teams to defend elsewhere.

A few notable acceptions were 54 years ago when the Americans defended in Burmuda and the Swiss team has previously defended in Spain.

Mr Bicket says one option being “discussed” by the Kiwis is to hold their defence off the Isle of Wight around the Solent.

Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, Bertie Bicket, Rear Commodore of the Royal Yaught Squadron and Chairman of Royal Yaught Squadron Racing said:

“It’s [America’s Cup] huge. It is the biggest focus of sailing probably in excess of the interests generated by the Olympics. It would be an incredible spectacle.

"Certainly, the eyes of the sporting world would be focused on the Isle of Wight and it would be fantastic to happen...We are talking with our counterparts in New Zealand and are pretty much locked into talks”.

If approved, the likes of Sir Ben Ainslie’s British team would take on the Kiwis around the Isle of Wight for what is usually a ten-day event.

Concluding, Mr Bicket said:

“We have a very strong team, Ineos Team UK is by far the longest standing of the current America's Cup teams in terms of a group of men and women - many of them are from this area and have been living on the Island while they train off Portsmouth.

“A lot of the children of the team members go to Isle of Wight schools and are very much part of the community and we would like to see them back from New Zealand and back on the Island.”

He notes that the other option is for the UK to win America’s Cup and defend it on the Isle of Wight, however, we are the challenger on this occasion.

It’s thought a decision will be made in around six weeks time.

Listen to the full interview with Bertie Bicket below...

Watch a video of Emirates Team New Zealand Win the 36th America's Cup here...