36th America’s Cup OLDEST TROPHY IN INTERNATIONAL SPORT MAR 6-15 AUCKLAND Since 1851, the world’s best sailors, competing on the fastest boats, have contested the America’s Cup. Only four nations, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Switzerland, have ever claimed the prestigious trophy affectionately known as the “Auld Mug” 1851 AMERICA RULES THE WAVES Venue: Isle of Wight Open race for 100 Guinea Cup. America – most advanced yacht of her time, after which trophy is named – shatters British morale. New York Yacht Club (NYCC) announces it will accept challenge from yacht club of any foreign nation 1870-87 EARLY DEFENCES New York NYYC sees off variety of mainly British challengers during evolutionary phase in which size and type of boat varies greatly 1893-1903 90-FOOTERS New York Largest and most impressive of all early America’s Cup yachts. U.S. totally dominant, winning every race in five contests America’s Cup First awarded by Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851 John Cox Stevens Commodore of New York Yacht Club America Length at water line: 27.39m, NYYC Reliance 27.32m, NYYC. Largest sloop ever built, designed by Captain Herreshoff, wins in 1903 1920-37 J-CLASS BOATS New York, Newport Racing resumes after Great War under Universal Rule – boats to conform to formula involving sail length, area and displacement to reduce size and costs 1958 12-METRE ERA To revive Cup after World War II, NYYC allows smaller, less expensive boats to compete Columbia 13.95m, NYYC 1958 winner 1983 ACHILLES KEEL Newport After 132 years, longest winning streak in sporting history ends when Alan Bond’s Australia II wins sudden-death 7th race Louis Vuitton Cup competition set up to select challenger. Renamed Prada Cup in 2018 1987 CONNER’S REVENGE Fremantle Dennis Conner, beaten in 1983 and first U.S. skipper to lose Cup, wins it back from Australia at first attempt Stars & Stripes 87 13.96m, San Diego YC 1988 TO COURT San Diego Maverick challenge by vast monohull New Zealand beaten at sea by Conner’s smaller, faster catamaran – and in law by New York Supreme Court, which rules mismatch is not illegal New Zealand KZ-1 27.43m, Mercury Bay BC Stars & Stripes 16.76m, San Diego YC 1992 CLASS OF ’92 San Diego New International America’s Cup Class of ultralight yachts – established to define valid challenge in law – contest Cup. America3 defeats Italian challenger Il Moro di Venezia America3 18.31m, San Diego YC 1995-2000 KIWIS SHINE San Diego Team led by Peter Blake trounces Conner’s Young America 5-0 in first victory for New Zealand. Defends title in 2000 Black Magic 18.04m, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron Australia II 13.10m, Royal Perth YC Revolutionary winged keel helps win victory 2003 SWISS GLORY Auckland Alinghi team of Ernesto Bertarelli (above), and former New Zealand skipper Russell Coutts, is first challenger to win trophy on initial attempt Alinghi SUI-64 Challenge 18.00m, Société Nautique de Genève 2007 SPANISH ARMADA Valencia Spain hosts Cup on behalf of landlocked Switzerland – Alinghi retains title Alinghi SUI-100 25.00m, Société Nautique de Genève Emirates AC75 20.70m, Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron 2021 Emirates Team New Zealand takes on Luna Rossa of Italy in AC75 class – capable of speeds of over 50 knots (90km/h) 2010-13 ORACLE RISES BMW Oracle Racing reclaims trophy for U.S. in 2010, then defends title in astonishing comeback from 8-1 down to seal 9-8 victory over Emirates Team New Zealand in closest match in America’s Cup history Oracle AC72 22.00m, Golden Gate Yacht Club 2017 KIWIS’ REVENGE Bermuda New Zealand – led by Olympic gold medallist Peter Burling – vanquishes pain of 2013 to claim third title with emphatic 7-1 victory over Oracle Source: America’s Cup Pictures: NYYC.org, Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS