SAM POOLE: Bursting with Pride after Americas Cup

And if this sailing event doesn’t put the city on the global map then I simply don’t know what will.

I love where we live and have always expressed my opinions of it being full of great opportunity.

Don’t get me wrong, it does have its rubbish elements, but doesn’t every city?

Together we should be proud of the fantastic event we hosted at the weekend.

It was a great time for team Land Rover BAR too.

Unfortunately I was away when the all the action kicked off.

But I wasn’t prevented from keeping up-to-date with all the brilliance happening – thanks to social media.

Pictures, video and text encapsulating the event made me feel right at the very heart of all the action.

There’s no stopping me when I’m keen to engage with something close to home.

I’m sad to say that last year’s Americas Cup was a different story.

It ended up being almost a total wash-out.

Last summer we saw a huge downpour and a waterlogged Southsea common.

Event organisers had no choice but to cut the event short.

Attendees were disgusted with burger vans, organisers and there were frustrations elsewhere.

The weather was just relentless and left everyone feeling pretty down in the dumps.

Momentarily, it was embarrassing for the city as they were in the limelight across the world of sailing.

It was also saddening for me as someone born and bred in the city.

I see 2016 as a time where we redeemed ourselves and fought back bigger and better.

A year which top trumped the previous.

I’m fortunate to work with people who were at the centre of all the action.

It’s great to hear they had an enjoyable time too.

Let’s be sure to look back at events such as the weekend and strive to having more fantastic things taking place.

A city where people from across the area belong and wish to be.

We have so much on offer that should pounce at the opportunities to continue to build on it.

Portsmouth is a cultural city and there’s no preventing us in being at the heart of it for much of it.

The future seems bright!