History of the America’s Cup OLDEST TROPHY IN INTERNATIONAL SPORT Regarded as the pinnacle of yacht racing, the world’s best sailors, competing on the fastest boats, have contested the America’s Cup since 1851. Only four nations 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 John Cox Stevens Commodore of NYYC 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 1920-37 J-Class Boats New York, Newport Universal Rule introduced after Great War. Boats conform to formula involving sail length, area and displacement to reduce size and costs 1958 12-metre Era Newport To revive Cup after World War II, NYYC allows smaller, less expensive boats to compete 1983 Achilles Keel Newport After 132 years, longest winning streak in sporting history ends when Alan Bond’s Australia II (right) wins sudden-death 7th race. Louis Vuitton Cup competition set up to select challenger. 1987 Conner’s Revenge Fremantle Dennis Conner (left), beaten in 1983 and first U.S. skipper to lose Cup, wins it back from Australia at first attempt 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 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 1995-2000 Kiwis Shine San Diego Team helmed by Russell Coutts (right) trounces Conner’s Young America 5-0 in first victory for New Zealand. Defends title in 2000 2003 Swiss Glory Auckland Alinghi team of Ernesto Bertarelli (left), is first challenger to win trophy on initial attempt. Skipper Coutts hoists third successive title 2007 Spanish Armada Valencia Event returns to Europe, as Spain hosts Cup on behalf of landlocked Switzerland – Alinghi retains title 2010-13 Oracle Rises Valencia, San Francisco 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 2017 Kiwis’ Revenge Bermuda New Zealand – led by Olympic gold medallist Peter Burling (left) – vanquishes pain of 2013 to claim third title with emphatic 7-1 victory over Oracle 2021 Title Defence Auckland After overhauling four-minute deficit in eighth race, New Zealand surge to victory, defeating Italian team Luna Rossa 7-3 2024 37th America’s Cup Barcelona Ineos Britannia, skippered by four-time Olympic champion Sir Ben Ainslie, take on New Zealand, who are aiming for fifth title America Length at water line: 27.39m, NYYC Reliance 27.32m, NYYC. Largest sloop ever built, designed by Captain Herreshoff, wins in 1903 America3 18.31m, San Diego YC Oracle AC72 22.00m, Golden Gate Yacht Club (2013) America’s Cup: First awarded by Royal Yacht Squadron in 1851 CREST OF A WAVE Winning clubs since first official race in 1870 New York Yacht Club Record: 25-1 Royal NZ Yacht Squadron: 4-3 San Diego Yacht Club 3-1 Société Nautique de Genève: 2-1 Golden Gate Yacht Club 2-1 Royal Perth Yacht Club 1-3 Taihoro AC75 20.7m, Emirates Team New Zealand (2024) Source: America’s Cup Pictures: Getty Images, Newscom, Wikimedia Commons © GRAPHIC NEWS