Jimmy Spithill says that Oracle Team USA have become Bermuda’s adopted syndicate and is determined to reward the island with a three-peat in the America’s Cup.

Oracle, winners in 2010 and 2013, were the first of the six outfits to arrive in Bermuda two years ago after picking the island as the location ahead of San Diego in November 2014.

Spithill, the Oracle skipper, describes Bermuda as “top level” in terms of the friendliness of the people and believes “home-town support” can play a part in steering the team to the title.

“Bermuda is one of the most beautiful places in the world and Bermudians are very friendly, very hospitable and extremely proud of the island,” Spithill said. “There’s extra motivation as the nominated team as well as representing the United States. It’s a double win for us and to have Bermuda cheering for us is huge.

“We really want to perform well and make [Bermuda] proud. I think it will make a difference for us to get home-town support here as well as in the United States.”

Oracle’s early-bird approach to setting up base in Royal Naval Dockyard, as opposed to Emirates Team Zealand and Land Rover BAR, the last teams to arrive, could prove hugely beneficial, according to Spithill.

Team New Zealand, who opted to stay in Auckland during their testing and development period, sailed for the first time in the Great Sound last month, while Land Rover BAR left their headquarters in Portsmouth in January.

“It was a strategic decision for us to set up here and lay the foundations early,” said the Australian. “You can’t shortcut those hours on the water you spend at the race venue.”

One of the major talking points during the build-up to the qualifiers has been the decision to use pedal power by Team New Zealand, with Oracle also copying the Kiwis’ surprise move with a partial switch.

Spithill remained coy yesterday on the exact method his team would adopt to charge their hydraulic systems.

“You’ll just have to wait and see,” Spithill told yesterday’s press conference, attended by all six of the America’s Cup helmsmen. “It’s something we’ve certainly looked at and all of the teams have looked at.

“Every campaign the bike question comes up and we’re looking at a hybrid system, a combination of both, and we’re going to keep developing and see how it sets up.”

Spithill, who believes the 35th America’s Cup will be a defining chapter in the event’s history, is adamant that Oracle will more than match the hunger of their five rivals looking to rip the title from them.

“From what I’ve seen the team’s hunger has only become stronger and somewhat of an obsession,” said the 37-year-old.

“Seeing the amount of commitment and all-in attitude from the entire team only builds my motivation and you all feed off that.”

Oracle will have to wait a further day to open their defence with a race against Groupama Team France after organisers postponed racing because of gale-force winds and heavy rain.

As defender, Oracle are guaranteed a spot in the America’s Cup Match beginning on June 17, although Spithill insists they will not be holding anything back in the qualifiers.

“We’re approaching the qualifying series to win; that’s our goal,” he said. “If we win, we get to start the America’s Cup effectively with a bonus point.”

When asked whether he considered Team New Zealand as the “lone wolf”, a term coined by Grant Dalton, the Kiwis CEO, given their disagreements with the other teams over the long-term vision of the Cup, Spithill replied: “[New Zealand] have always been invited to every meeting to discuss the future of the event and I think Grant Dalton has been shown that he is a lone wolf.

“It’s rare for me to agree with him, but I’d have to agree with that. He’s created that and we’ve obviously wanted him involved. I’ve spoken to some of the Team New Zealand sailors and they have a different opinion but can’t say anything.

“It’s all about what’s going to make this game better going forward. That’s always been our goal.”