Premier Michael Dunkley yesterday expressed optimism over Bermuda’s chances of hosting the next instalment of the America’s Cup — the pinnacle of match race sailing.

Bermuda remains among a shortlist of bidders vying to host the 2017 America’s Cup and, according to Mr Dunkley, the team spearheading the Island’s bid, led by Economic Development Minister Grant Gibbons, has gone above and beyond the call of duty.

“I had a conversation with Minister Gibbons this afternoon and he assures me that our preparation for everything we were asked to do is well in hand and we are patiently excited to hear the news when they whittle the field down from three to two, which could be within the next ten days,” the Premier told The Royal Gazette.

San Diego, Chicago and Bermuda are the remaining bids to host the next America’s Cup.

The Island submitted its bid after being approached by organising body, the America’s Cup Event Authority in March.

“I am thankful for all the partners who have done a lot of work getting us to this stage, whether it be the Cabinet sub committee chaired by Mr Gibbons or the private sector,” Mr Dunkley added. “Even Michael Bloomberg (former New York mayor) has come to the wicket and helped us out and I’m very optimistic about our chances.”

Earlier this month a delegation from America’s Cup holders, Oracle Team USA, travelled to Bermuda to scrutinise the Island’s bid.

If Bermuda is successful it would be the first time that an American defender has taken the venue from the United States.

Bermuda’s ideal sailing conditions, natural beauty and time zone could work to the Island’s advantage in terms of staging one of the world’s biggest sporting events.

Finer details of Bermuda’s bid remain secret because of a confidentiality clause agreed with Oracle Team USA.

Hosting an event of the magnitude, the Premier said, would be a win-win situation for Bermuda and the America’s Cup.

“As people can see, the America’s Cup has grown in leaps and bounds over the past decade or so and with the tradition we have as ocean faring people I think we can help take it to the next level again and Bermudian hospitality would come to the fore,” he added.

“Hosting the America’s Cup would be a great stimulus for our economy and a great stimulus for the America’s Cup going forward.”

Oracle Team USA successfully defended the America’s Cup after prevailing 9 to 8 against challenger Emirates Team New Zealand in San Francisco last year.

The cup holders overcame a 8-1 deficit to pull off one of the most stunning comebacks in sports history.