Organisers of the Argo Group Gold Cup remained confident yesterday that next week’s event will be held as planned as Hurricane Joaquin closed in on the Island.

It is the second straight year that last-minute preparations for the Gold Cup have been impacted by a hurricane after Faye and Gonzalo swept through Bermuda in the build-up to the 2014 event.

Despite being hit by two hurricanes in the space of five days, last year’s Gold Cup went off without a hitch and Peter Shrubb, the rear commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, is adamant that there will be no exception in the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.

“I am sure things will go ahead as planned,” Shrubb said. “The volunteers and support crew here in Bermuda work so hard to get everything done and all of the preparations made, and I’m sure everyone put in their usual Herculean effort.”

The majority of the 16 teams that make up this year’s Gold Cup fleet are scheduled to start arriving in Bermuda today as Hurricane Joaquin continues its north-northeasterly track farther away from the Island.

“Most of the teams are arriving Monday night because a lot of the sailors were competing at events in Europe like the RC44,” Shrubb said.

“Most of them were scheduled to come in Monday night along with umpires and race officials. That’s still the plan and we’re hoping all of the teams get here on time.”

Organisers took steps at the weekend to safeguard the International One Design sloops to be used for the Gold Cup as Hurricane Joaquin closed in.

“As far as I know, the boats are going to be ready and the schedule is to still to go ahead as planned,” Shrubb said.

Like the rest of the Island, Oracle Team USA, took steps to minimise structural damage to their team base in Dockyard and fleet of foiling catamarans and single-handed dinghies.

“The forecast was a bit more severe, so we’ve taken the decision to secure the base to the limit of what Ian [Stewart, the team logistics manager] had planned,” said Grant Simmer, the Oracle Team USA general manager.

“All the boats are inside sheds, the tent roof has been taken off the canteen area, all the containers are closed up and the large glass panels have been covered in plywood. We’re in pretty good shape.

“We’re prepared to lose power and communication for a couple of days if the storm is worse than forecast. We’ve prepared for the worst and we are hoping we’re being overcautious.”

Simmer was optimistic that the hurricane would not have any impact on the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda.

“Bermudians are accustomed to dealing with these storms and recovering quickly,” Simmer said.

“For most of us, it’s our first time, so we are probably anticipating something more severe than what we’ll see. Hopefully, we’ll be out sailing again in a few days.”

Although the sailing is likely to escape largely unscathed, several sporting events did fall victim to the storm this weekend.

The Bermuda Football Association postponed yesterday’s round of Premier Division and First Division matches.

“The BFA encourages all residents to prepare early for Joaquin, be safe, tune into EMO updates and look out for vulnerable residents,” the statement said.

Yesterday’s PartnerRe Women’s 5K and Girls 2K race was also postponed.

“While we cannot confirm a new race date at this time we would like to try to reschedule if we are able,” organisers said in an e-mail to participants.

“The race directors appreciate your interest in this fantastic event and hope you and your families remain safe in the storm.”

Other sporting events postponed or cancelled because of the approaching hurricane were Saturday’s harness racing at the Bermuda Equestrian Centre at Vesey Street, the Governor’s Cup golf tournament at Riddell’s Bay Golf and Country Club and cycling’s Independent Victoria Park Criterium in Hamilton.