Crowds turned up for the Apex Group Bermuda Sail Grand Prix over the weekend as Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds followed the race directly from the water.

The celebrity, best known for playing the superhero Deadpool in the eponymous franchise, sailed alongside the Australia team on Saturday.

Mr Reynolds co-owns the team, the Bonds Flying Roos, alongside fellow superhero actor and Australian native Hugh Jackman, of Wolverine fame.

Meanwhile, Bermudians and visitors enjoyed the sunshine as they watched the two-day race from Morgan’s Point in Sandys.

Alice Ayton, 39, and Tasha Dyson, 30, travelled to Bermuda for the first time from London, England, to watch the event.

“It’s amazing,” Ms Dyson said. “The weather’s beautiful here. There’s no better place to watch the race.”

The pair, who were visiting with family, said the event was great for bringing communities together from all over the world.

Ms Ayton explained that she and Ms Dyson became Brazil supporters because “they didn’t have any UK flags left”.

She said the race was a family-friendly event and she had brought her two-year-old daughter, Marlowe.

Ms Ayton said she and her family hoped to find more activities before leaving tomorrow.

However, she and Ms Dyson, who left on Sunday, hoped to return.

Ms Ayton said: “I love the beaches, being out on the seas and the people in general are so friendly when compared to London.”

Sarah Holmes, 37, spent the day at the event to celebrate Mother’s Day with her mother and mother-in-law.

Mrs Holmes, who brought her two-year-old son, Hunter, said: “There’s three generations watching here today.”

The afternoon was a gift from Mrs Holmes’s husband, Alex.

Her mother even flew down from the US for the occasion.

Mrs Holmes said she appreciated how family-friendly the event was and how it allowed her to bring her child without him getting too fussy.

She added that the event brought “great visibility” to the island.

Mrs Holmes said: “I think that a lot of people who don’t normally think of Bermuda see an event like this and it brings great tourism.”

She added: “I think it’s great to see an event that cares. They bring in their own wind power because they want everything to be green.

“I think it’s cool that they’re coming to Bermuda and they’re leaving it better than they found it.

“Not every organisation is that interested in maintaining the beauty of the area.”

SailGP featured 13 teams from Europe, North America, South America, Australia and New Zealand as they raced F50 foiling catamarans.

The crowd was treated to performances by H&H Gombey troupe and several DJs.

The event was last hosted in Bermuda in 2024.

Arthur Glasford, 55, was happy to see SailGP back on the island after taking a hiatus last year.

He said the event was a great way to showcase Bermuda, its camaraderie and its hospitality.

Mr Glasford added: “It's nice seeing the boats on the water.

“You have guys who do this all day every day and they put on a good show.

“People aren’t able to see that because they have races all over the world, but to have a race in Bermuda, up close and personal, it doesn't get better than this.”

Mr Glasford, a police officer, threw his support behind the Australian team. He hoped to see other “world-class events in Bermuda” such as this.

He said: “I would hope that the powers that be who make decisions on having events like this keep it up, whether it be SailGP or anything else that’ll draw a crowd to get people to come out on a weekend to witness sailing at its best.”

Ezekiel Stoneham and Daniel Woods, both 36, saw SailGP as an opportunity to invest in Bermuda as a venue.

Mr Stoneham, a commercial manager at Burrows Lightbourn, explained the event should serve as a springboard to get Bermuda to host more international events.

He said: “I think what SailGP provides is a benchmark for where we should be. I truly believe that.

“Bermuda needs more of this to open the eyes of not only locals but promoters about what we can be.”

Mr Woods, a chartered surveyor, added: “I encourage everyone to take advantage of when Bermuda hosts global world-class events locally because people travel to experience these types of things.”