America’s Cup to be held in Bermuda in 2017

When the America’s Cup reconvenes in June of 2017, sailors will trade the cold, rough San Francisco Bay for a considerably gentler climate.

Officials confirmed on Tuesday that the next edition of the international race will be held in the warm waters of Bermuda.

“The sailing conditions are near perfect,” said Harvey Schiller, a Cup executive. “The race course on the Great Sound is a natural amphitheater with room for racing and spectators, amid a spectacular backdrop of islands and beaches.”

There will be a change in boats after much controversy -- and a fatal accident -- clouded the 2013 race in San Francisco. This time, competitors will switch from 72-foot catamarans to a lighter and arguably more stable 62-foot version.

Oracle Team USA won that Cup, charging back from a historic deficit to defeat Emirates Team New Zealand.

Emirates will make another try along with four additional challengers: Artemis Racing of Sweden, Ben Ainslie Racing of Great Britain, Luna Rossa Challenge of Italy and Team France.

“I’ve raced there several times and the variety of conditions means you can never let your guard down,” Oracle skipper Jimmy Spithill said. “We’ll all need to be at the top of our game to have success and that’s how it should be.”