Four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie has renewed his backing of Bermuda’s bid to host the 2017 America’s Cup.

Although he refused to be drawn on reports that the Island had already been chosen as the venue he said: “As a British team, we would love to go to Bermuda”.

Ainslie’s comments came as it was announced yesterday that qualifying events for the prestigious sailing event would be held in Portsmouth, England in July 2015 and 2016.

Previously the skipper of challengers, Ben Ainslie Racing, had said Bermuda would be the sailing purist’s choice for the 2017 spectacle.

Last week the Associated Press reported that Bermuda had been chosen ahead of San Diego to host the America’s Cup.

This was further supported Joe Terzi, the San Diego Tourism Authority CEO, who told the U-T San Diego newspaper that Bermuda got the nod because of the “financial incentives” it could offer.

An official announcement on the host of the 2017 America’s Cup will be made on December 2.

When asked about venues for the event yesterday, Ainslie said: “Either ... would be fantastic venues, as a British team we would love to go to Bermuda, but either venue would suit us just fine.”

Ben Ainslie Racing is among the six teams set to challenge America’s Cup holders Oracle Team USA for the coveted Auld Mug in three-years time.

Yesterday, in London, it was announced that the America’s Cup World Series (ACWS) would take place in the naval port of Portsmouth between July 23 to 26, 2015 and July 21 to 24, 2016.

ACWS racing is also scheduled to take place in Bermuda’s Great Sound from October 16 to 18 next year, although Hamilton Harbour has not been ruled out as a possible venue for the preliminary races.