Organisers of the Marion to Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race have offered this year’s entrants an additional bonus of preferred viewing of the America’s Cup in 2017.

Racers will earn priority status at the Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club (RHADC) to experience the 2017 America’s Cup being sailed during June. Participating in the 2015 race will act as a warm-up trip to Bermuda that will enable participants to make a crossing to Bermuda and become familiar with all that the Island has to offer for their next race.

That race in 2017 will be a special “race in company” to watch AC35 in Bermuda from the comfort of their own boat.

“Racing the 2015 race leads to special opportunities for those interested in this year’s race and in the next race, too,” said Ray Cullum, a past commodore of the Beverly Yacht Club in Marion and the marketing director for 2015. “Skippers racing this year will be given preferential dockage and mooring space at RHADC in 2017.

“Skippers and crew in the 2015 race will have the current rates guaranteed plus first refusal on dockage and mooring space for the 2017 race. They may also receive special discounts following this year’s race surrounding their stay for the America’s Cup.”

The Bermuda Tourism Authority has elevated the Marion-Bermuda race from the “Tourism Experience” level to “Signature Event” status under a new funding programme for 2015.

The additional marketing will be used to enhance the Bermuda experience for Marion-Bermuda race participants and their friends, families and the return crews who come to Bermuda and the RHADC for the race itself and to enjoy Bermuda.

Ed Faries, the RHADC commodore, hopes to see a large turnout. “We expect that with all the attention Bermuda is getting as host to the next America’s Cup, we will have a good size fleet this year,” he said. “With the support from the BTA, we are planning some new experiences which will extend the Bermuda experience for our sailors to include tours of the America’s Cup venue and may also include a post-race ‘Explore Bermuda’ cruise to experience future yachting amenities planned or now under development.”

Since its inception in 1977, the biennial Marion-Bermuda Race has been a premier 645-mile ocean race and sailing event that appeals to a broad range of cruising and racing enthusiasts. The spirit of the race is one focused on family and fun. It is organised and run by hundreds of volunteering members of the Beverly Yacht Club, the Blue Water Sailing Club and the RHADC for the Marion Bermuda Cruising Yacht Race Association.