2 America's Cup races to be held in England

LONDON (AP) America's Cup racing will return to Portsmouth on England's south coast in 2015 and 2016, as part of the world series regatta.

The last races there in 2011 drew 150,000 spectators, said Portsmouth race organizer Team Origin, a company set up by Keith Mills, who was deputy chairman of the organizing committee for the 2012 London Olympics.

The regattas will take place from July 23-26, 2015, and July 21-24, 2016.

The America's Cup World Series will help to determine standings for the America's Cup qualifiers in 2017.

Ben Ainslie, the four-time Olympic champion who will head a British syndicate, refused to be drawn on reports that the 2017 finals will be held in Bermuda instead of San Francisco, ahead of the official announcement on Dec. 2.

''Either ... would be fantastic venues,'' Ainslie said. ''As a British team, we would love to go to Bermuda, but either venue would suit us just fine.''