Morgan’s Point has a new tenant.

The Southampton layout will become Artemis Racing’s full operational base in the lead up to the 35th America’s Cup by early next year.

The Swedish challenger confirmed yesterday that it will move its present team base from the Royal Naval Dockyard across the Great Sound to the former US Naval Annex in Southampton.

Artemis Racing’s new headquarters will be erected on eight and a half acres of land, situated on a 75-acre peninsula that stretches out into the Great Sound, which will provide the team with the perfect home to challenge for the prestigious “Auld Mug”.

“Our sailing operations will be conducted in the Royal Naval Dockyard during the 35th America’s Cup in 2017, and we are very excited to be a part of what will be a fantastic event,” Iain Percy, the Artemis team manager, commented. “However, the size of this unique historical location at Morgan’s Point will enable us to relocate our full operational base to Bermuda much earlier.

“We would like to thank ACBDA and Minister Gibbons for their support, which has been central to the team’s relocation to Bermuda.”

Nathan Outteridge, the Artemis helmsman, hopes that being based in Bermuda will bolster the team’s bid to snatch the oldest trophy in international sport away from Oracle Team USA, the defender.

“The Great Sound is a challenging place to sail, and the conditions can vary significantly from day to day,” the Olympic gold medallist and world champion said.

“We hope that being based in Bermuda early will provide us with the best possible preparation ahead of the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup Qualifiers in 2017.”

Percy, who is also an Olympic gold medallist and world champion, added: “It is a tricky venue, it’s really shifty and gusty, and further to that, it’s tight.

“There will be lots of tacks and gybes, the crew will be working incredibly hard getting the boat through the transitions.

“It’s certainly going to be a sailor’s race, which will be great for everyone watching.”

Artemis Racing’s plans to start developing its space on Morgan’s Point are well under way, with the team hoping to be fully operational there by early 2016.

Welcoming the team with open arms was Craig Christensen, president and CEO of Morgan’s Point,

He said: “We are delighted to welcome Artemis Racing to Morgan’s Point. This is a very significant development for Bermuda with the team bringing their full operations to the Island.

“Morgan’s Point is here to assist the America’s Cup in any way we can, to help make this the best event our shores have ever seen.”

Artemis Racing is a professional sailing team founded in 2006 by businessman and sailor Torbjörn Törnqvist, who announced his challenge for the 35th America’s Cup with the Royal Swedish Yacht Club — the fifth-oldest yacht club in the world.

The team is the first America’s Cup challenger to launch its turbo charged wing-sail foiling AC45 catamaran in Bermuda.