America’s Cup tactician Francesco Bruni took time out of his busy schedule yesterday to scout Bermuda’s Great Sound, which could potentially host the next instalment of the Auld Mug in 2017.

The Italian sailor, who is a member of America’s Cup challengers Luna Rossa Challenge, is presently on Island to defend his Argo Group Gold Cup title, which he claimed last year after defeating rival America’s Cup tactician Sir Ben Ainslie in the final.

After making an assessment Mr Bruni gave the Great Sound the proverbial thumbs-up.

“We are in Bermuda and I was just curious to check out the potential race area,” he said. “I have been here a couple of times already and know this little corner here in Hamilton Harbour — but I didn’t know much about the potential racing area.

“It’s good to have a look around and I think it’s a good place. The space is big enough and I have always liked Bermuda and I think you guys have good potential (to host 35th America’s Cup).”

Bermuda is in a two-horse race with San Diego to host the next America’s Cup and, at the very least, is guaranteed to stage an America’s Cup World Series race if the bid committee fail in their attempt. Although the deadline for the venue announcement is not until the end of the year, there is growing speculation that an announcement could be made this month.

In a recent interview with this newspaper, Alpari World Match Racing Tour champion Taylor Canfield gave the Island’s America’s Cup bid, which is being spearheaded by Education and Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons, a ringing endorsement.

“I think Bermuda would be a great venue to host the next America’s Cup,” Mr Canfield said. “Bermuda has great weather, it’s a beautiful place and I think it would be incredible racing in the Great Sound, which is like basically a natural stadium for the style of racing they are looking to do. I think it would be pretty cool to see it there.”

Luna Rossa Challenge is one of two 35th America’s Cup challengers represented in this year’s Gold Cup, the other being Artemis Racing from Sweden.

Oracle Team USA are the America’s Cup holders.