For Joanna Cranfield, the America’s Cup represents a huge opportunity for Bermuda now, and well into the future.

“Even if the event does not come back to the island, it will have left its mark and a big legacy. It has helped put Bermuda on the map in a way we could only have dreamed about,” she said.

Mrs Cranfield drives past Cross Island, the home of the America’s Cup Event Village, every day on her way to work as Business Development Manager at the West End Development Corporation (Wedco). She also sees at first hand the work being done within the Royal Naval Dockyard as Wedco invests some $10 million into renovations.

“I don’t think people realise that this work was going to happen anyway and has largely been made possible due to a hurricane damage insurance pay out, but clearly the America’s Cup gave the work fresh impetus.

“It must, also, have given fresh impetus to tourism on the island and to small and large businesses.

“The America’s Cup is probably the single most important thing to have happened to Bermuda for several generations.”