A series of sailing events is set to bring thousands of visitors to the island, the Bermuda Tourism Authority predicted yesterday.

The BTA highlighted eight marine events coming to Bermuda between March and July next year as it unveiled the 2018 sailing calendar.

The schedule included regular events like the 88th Bermuda International Invitational Race Week and the 51st Newport Bermuda Race.

But the BTA said that at least two events — the Oyster Regatta Bermuda and the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta — came as the result of the America’s Cup.

Pat Phillip-Fairn, BTA chief product and experiences development officer, said: “Building on the legacy of Bermuda’s sailing heritage and her acclaimed hosting of the 35th America’s Cup, the 2018 Bermuda sailing calendar is turning out to be very exciting, a thrill for any sailing enthusiast.”

The BTA added that talks were under way to bring additional sailing events to the island in 2018 and 2019.

The schedule will start with the Moth World Championships in March, with the Bermuda International Invitational Race Week held in April.

Three events are listed for May — the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers, the Antigua Bermuda Race and the Oyster Regatta Bermuda.

The Annapolis Bermuda Ocean Race and the Newport Bermuda Race will both be held in July and the Bermuda-Hamburg leg of the Atlantic Anniversary Regatta is scheduled for July.

The BTA said: “The sailing events on the Bermuda sailing calendar are expected to bring thousands of visitors, made up of sailors, crew, race officials and their family and friends who come to Bermuda for race-ending or race-launching activities.”