Volunteers for the 35th America’s Cup were given a taste of what lies ahead at an orientation meeting last night.

“Prove us right, make us proud, and thank you for helping us to make what I know will be the greatest America’s Cup in history,” America’s Cup Bermuda CEO Mike Winfield told the XL Catlin First Mates programme participants gathered at the Hamilton Princess.

“This event did not happen by chance, it happened by partnership. It has taken 160 volunteers working night and day to make this happen, it has been an extraordinary effort, and that in itself is a legacy for Bermuda. Your role is to take that message of excellence forward and I know we can rely on you.”

About 600 people from 32 different nations, speaking 36 different languages and ranging in ages from 18 to 87 have volunteered for the event, including 250 Bermudians and another 100 Bermuda residents.

Among the volunteers are Olympians, Nasa scientists and authors, all bringing a range of skills and knowledge to be used across 20 different areas, knowledge that Kate Hughes, the America’s Cup volunteer programme manager, told a packed room was “highly valued”.

In opening the meeting, where volunteers were given an insight into the scale of work and time that has gone into the event, Ms Hughes thanked those that wanted to take part for being part of a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

America’s Cup Event Authority COO Sam Hollis, who talked about how he and his family had fallen in love with the island, also reminded the volunteers of what lay ahead.

“Bring your warmth”, he told them, adding: “We’ve achieved nothing yet; it is all ahead of us.”

The importance of sustainability was also highlighted as part of the event. With all six America’s Cup teams signed up to the 35th America’s Cup Sustainability Charter, the entire event will be focused on leaving behind a positive legacy for the environment. Volunteers were told how they will be expected to help make that happen by ACEA community outreach manager Jennifer Pitcher.

Single-use plastics have been eliminated from the event and there will be no balloons, straws, or styrofoam anywhere that the America’s Cup and surrounding events are being held.

Volunteers will be expected to help and encourage sustainable actions by; switching off equipment when not in use, conserving water, car pooling, or using public transport, and helping the public to sort waste at any one of the 23 waste sorting stations in the America’s Cup Village.

To get involved, e-mail your resume to firstmates@americascup.com. To book tickets online, go to www.americascup.com/tickets.