Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill says he has barely experienced any resistance from the community with regards to Bermuda hosting the America’s Cup and those few he has talked to with doubts soon warmed up to the idea.

The Australian yachtsman said he and his team have predominantly received positive feedback from Bermudians and residents and that most concerns have been as a result of a lack of awareness or education surrounding the event.

He was speaking to The Royal Gazette about settling into Island life and gearing up for the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda due to take place this weekend.

“I’ve had a couple of people come up to me who weren’t exactly sure and I have read the odd article or heard the local radio station,” he said.

“I had one lady in a supermarket in Somerset come up and ask me how she was ever going to get her kid into sailing and I explained the Endeavour programme to her. She was surprised about the opportunity and it is really about the awareness.

“People are starting to see the impact — they are seeing the team members buying cars, buying groceries, renting houses, it goes on and on and on and we are still years away. The great thing for any country that gets the America’s Cup is that it has a huge economic impact across multiple years.

“For the most part, I have had no scepticism — as soon as I answered people’s questions, they got it.” Mr Spithill said that momentum would continue to gain after the World Series event closes on Sunday.

“We will see more and more activity going forward here — we will see a lot of teams starting to train and relocate here towards the end of the year and start of next year. We will see more people, more boats out on the Great Sound blasting around.

“Although this is the final race before 2017 there will continue to be heaps of activity. I think one of the huge plusses is that this will literally put Bermuda on the map not just for sailing but for anyone on the east coast who doesn’t realise they can come to paradise on a two-hour flight. I would have no problem coming back here outside of the America’s Cup. I think the biggest issue will be trying to get me to leave.”

Outside of training, Mr Spithill has little time to spend with his family but tries to dedicate at least one day over the weekend to enjoy the Island with his wife Jennifer and sons Owen and Joe. He said that for him and his team, Bermuda is the most idyllic setting in terms of host cities.

“It really suits everyone’s lifestyle — we all have a bit of an addiction to the water. It doesn’t get any better than this from a work point of view but also lifestyle and family-wise. Where else can you do a full day’s training on the water then jump on a little powerboat to go and freedive for a lobster for dinner for the family?

“Any time we get off, which isn’t a whole lot, I am out with my young boys either fishing or sailing or diving or water skiing. You really get to see the waterways at their best. There is so much nature, it is so beautiful.

“It feels like a tight community family feel compared to what we have experienced in the past where we have been in large cities. The best part is the people and I think for everyone on our team the first impression was how hospitable Bermudians are.

“It is a big commitment for the entire team. On a typical day I go out in the morning while my family is still asleep and I come home and the kids are already in bed, so I don’t get to see them during the week but we try to take the weekends off, at least one of the days.”

Asked how he was feeling ahead of the upcoming World Series race, Mr Spithill said he remained confident.

“I am spending time with the team. We have been heavily focused on our development programme for the actual race in the America’s Cup but now we have changed gears and have started focusing on the World Series. Every team has the same challenge. I feel great, I can’t wait.”