Top New Zealand broadcasters 3 News endorsed Bermuda’s prospects for hosting the 2017 America’s Cup over rival contenders San Diego this weekend.

The twin island nation, which reaped huge economic benefits from hosting the international yachting event in Auckland in 2000, had its own team publicly state that they would submit a challenge for the 35th Cup.

The America’s Cup Event Authority (ACEA) is to announce the winning host in October — and, in an editorial published on Saturday by 3 News, Bermuda was praised as the better venue for a commercially viable regatta.

Kiwi sailors boast an impressive international reputation: New Zealand first won the America’s Cup in 1995 in San Diego and successfully defended in Auckland in 2000 and 2003.

Reporter Greg Pearson noted that if Team Oracle, the American defender, want to “chase the money, the best option is likely to be Bermuda, with the Atlantic territory providing a window to the more lucrative Europe audience”.

ACEA is to announce the teams at a September 9 press conference in London — and, with groups from Britain, Sweden, France and Italy in the ring, European audiences will be watching keenly.

“If at least four of the challengers are European, Bermuda sits in a friendlier time zone than the West Coast of the United States,” 3 News observed.

“If the schedule follows the same format as San Francisco, 1pm and 2pm start times in Bermuda would be 5pm and 6pm in London, as opposed to 9pm and 10pm for the same start times in San Diego.”

Bermuda’s one-hour proximity to the US East Coast also better aligns the Island to American prime-time audiences.

“Add Bermuda’s much friendlier tax breaks and it becomes a much more appealing venue for Oracle — and a much easier host to turn the event into a moneymaker,” Mr Pearson wrote.

Even if San Diego ultimately edges out Bermuda, the Island stands to reap significant rewards from the 2017 Cup.

Grant Gibbons, the Education and Economic Development Minister, who is spearheading the Island’s bid, has said that Bermuda is certain “to host an America’s Cup World Series racing event, regardless of the outcome of the final venue selection”.

Dr Gibbons has expressed confidence in the Island’s standing, with Premier Michael Dunkley telling The Royal Gazette last week that he is convinced Bermuda is the best place for the event.