Dear Sir,

Please allow me to share some factual information about the upcoming America’s Cup.

The first event of the America’s Cup World Series, a preamble to the America’s Cup, is now taking place in Portsmouth, England, with another to follow in 2016.

Britain has a good reputation for being able to stage major events. They are expecting 500,000 people in Portsmouth for the World Series Event over the four-day event.

They will have large screens in the local arenas and throughout the city in high traffic locations, and entertainment such as music shows and many other displays. It’s about making the four days worth it.

Perhaps the biggest indication of how seriously the Bermuda campaign is being taken will come with the confirmation of the TV coverage. In England, BT Sports will screen the races live and the BBC will produce the highlights at various times during the day. Both broadcasters have paid for the rights, another step forward for sailing.

So why has TV turned on to sailing now? Sport on TV needs stars and excitement. Now there is a star in England in the form of Sir Ben Ainslie. For the visuals there is the speed, the spray and sailors moving about on the boats, which you don’t get in other sports.

The problem in the past for spectators was that no one knew who was leading. Now, anyone can understand the racing through the scope of commentary and visual effects. Sailing can be a spectacular sport on TV, particularly if there is a good crowd and atmosphere. Cameras don’t like empty stadiums.

Based on the crowds drawn to previous ACWS events and in Portsmouth this year, empty seats are unlikely to be a problem. Within the first 48 hours of tickets going on sale, more than 60,000 were bought.

Free tickets for the weekend days at the Waterfront Festival Arena in Portsmouth, which has a daily capacity of 30,000, were snapped up within days. For the Fanzone Arena where tickets started at $40, 60 per cent of the weekend capacity was sold within weeks.

Ben Ainslie Racing is a growing, vibrant team hoping to return the Cup to the UK and Bermuda. But first you have to win it. My money will be on them.

DAVID LE’STRANGE, Smith’s