america's cup yacht race winners

Home > Events > Sailing > America's Cup > Winners

America's Cup Winner's List

The America's Cup is one of the oldest international sporting trophies in history. From 1851 to 1983, the USA won the America’s Cup. After that, Australia, New Zealand, and Switzerland have been sharing the crown with the USA.

The winning club is indicated in bold.

Related Pages

• About the America's Cup
• America's Cup Trivia
• Other major sailing events
• More about the sport of sailing

Search This Site

More sailing.

• at the Olympics

Major Events Extra

The largest sporting event in the world is the Olympic Games , but there are many other multi-sport games . In terms of single sport events, nothing beats the FIFA World Cup . To see what's coming up, check out the calendar of major sporting events .

Latest Pages

• Ballon d'Or 2024 for men and women
• Fittest - Basketballers or Tennis players?
• Olympic Athletes Height - Tallest & Shortest
• Olympic Games Winners Lists

Current Events

• Baseball World Series
• Women's Cricket World T20
• America's Cup Sailing
• 2024 Major Events Calendar

Popular Pages

• Ballon d'Or Winners
• Super Bowl Winners
• World Cup Winners

Latest Sports Added

• Juggling Sports
• Castell Tower Building

home search sitemap store

SOCIAL MEDIA

newsletter facebook X (twitter )

privacy policy disclaimer copyright

contact author info advertising

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Where are they now? 6 famous America's Cup yachts

1851 schooner america’s sad demise.

In 1851, the schooner America , sailing for the New York Yacht Club, beat the Royal Yacht Squadron and laid claim to its 100 Guinea Cup. Thus the America’s Cup was born – what is now the oldest trophy in international sport – earning its name from that first winning yacht rather than the country, though the US did go on to hold the trophy for 100 years.

Where is America's Cup yacht  America now?

The famous America's cup yacht America changed hands – and names – a few times after the first historic race, and then wound up in the American Civil War as a Union ship. She stayed in the military as a training ship for the Navy until 1873, when she was sold to a former Civil War General for $5,000 (about $98,000 today). The general raced, maintained and refitted the boat, but after his death in 1893, she was passed down to his son who lacked interest in the schooner and allowed her to fall into disrepair. Despite being eventually donated back to the Navy, lack of maintenance left her seriously decayed. The nail was driven into the coffin when a major snowstorm caused the shed she was stored in to collapse in 1945, and America was scrapped and burned, bringing the history of one of the most famous sailing yachts of all times to a close.

America ’s legacy lives on to do this day, and there are replicas of the schooner you can sail on to relive the glory of this historic vessel. Climb aboard the 32 metre America 2.0 replica (pictured in the inset above) in Key West (November-April) and New York (May-October), or on a 42 metre replica out in San Diego .

1930 Shamrock V is still sailing

J Class yachts are synonymous with the America’s Cup as these slim, graceful beauties once represented the fleet racing for the Cup. The 36.42 metre Shamrock V , commissioned by Sir Thomas Lipton for his fifth and final bid, she was the first J Class yacht to compete for the Cup. The fact that she is the only J Class yacht to be built in wood makes it all the more remarkable that Shamrock V is still floating today.

Where is America's Cup yacht  Shamrock V now?

The Camper & Nicholsons -built J is in pretty perfect condition for a lady of her years. J Class yacht  Shamrock V is currently for sale and looking for a good home. The right owner could sail away on this piece of Cup history just in time as the  J Class yachts make a triumphant return to the America's Cup .

1987 movie star Stars & Stripes still racing

While the film Wind , one of the best boat movies , was inspired by Dennis Conner’s experience competing for the America’s Cup in 1983 on board Liberty , the yacht that was actually used in filming was the 12 Metre type sailing yacht Stars & Stripes 87 . She was called Geronimo in the film, but Stars & Stripes 87 was more than a screen legend. When Conner launched his own campaign, he wanted a culmination of all the Stars & Stripes yachts that came before her, and she was designed to be fast in heavy air. Stars & Stripes 87 wound up being the final 12 metre yacht to win the America’s Cup.

Where is the America's Cup yacht  Stars & Stripes 87 now?

Stars & Stripes 87 can be found in the Caribbean now, able to be sailed with the St Maarten 12 Metre Challenge , giving you a chance to take the helm (if you're lucky) of a real Cup winner.

1988 Stars & Stripes multihulls

Paving the way for the high-performance multihull America's Cup yachts that are redefining the competition is  Stars & Stripes – the catamaran. The first America's Cup multihull yacht, the US team's Stars & Stripes came to be by a cunning interpretation of the Deed of Gift, which only stipulated the challenging yachts be single masted and no more than 90 feet LWL. The result was anything but a true match race, with the much faster, wing-masted multihull Stars & Stripes winning the Cup in 1988.

Where are the America's Cup multihull yachts Stars & Stripes now?

Two versions of the multihull Stars & Stripes were built, a soft sail (S1) and a wing-masted yacht (H3). Stars & Stripes (S1) was acquired by American entrepreneur Steve Fossett and used to set speed records around the world before being sold in 2017 to Key Lime Sailing Club and Cottages in Key Largo, where she is used for day charters and racing. The actual Cup player, Stars & Stripes (H3) was bought by Mark Reece in Naples, Florida and was used for sailing charter trips, but her current status is unconfirmed.

1994 Stars & Stripes once used as a training yacht by Oracle Team USA

America’s Cup yacht Stars & Stripes (sail number 34) is probably most famous for not winning a Cup. It wasn’t because she didn’t perform under pressure, but because she never got the chance. While the 24 metre yacht, designed by David Peddic and built in 1994 by Goetz Boat Works, won the right to defend the Cup, Dennis Conner chose Young America (US 36) over Stars & Stripes . The new choice was no match for Team New Zealand’s Black Magic , which beat out Team Dennis Conner four times in a row.

Where is America's Cup yachts Stars & Stripes (US 34) now?

Famed America’s Cup Stars & Stripes (US 34) is earning a chance to prove herself on the racecourse yet again. She sails out of Chicago, racing against Abracadabra (US 54). After failing to win the Cup in 2000, this iteration of Abracadabra was bought by Larry Ellison, who used her as a training boat for his Oracle Team USA.

2003 USA 76 still sailing in San Francisco Bay

Sailed by the US challenging team in preparations for the 2003 America’s Cup in Auckland, New Zealand, USA 76 never made it to the Cup, but she came quite close. Making it to the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup final, USA 76 faced the Swiss Team Alinghi but didn’t come out on top. So the US team arranged for a “rematch” against Alinghi, with two races set in San Francisco Bay. While it didn’t change the results of the Cup, this time USA 76 bested the Swiss competitors twice over.

Where is America’s Cup yacht USA 76 now?

Fittingly, USA 76 resides in San Francisco Bay and is available for sailing. Capture the spirit of the most recent America’s Cup that was raced in the natural amphitheatre of the Bay by climbing aboard USA 76 for a racing adventure under the Golden Gate Bridge.

Sponsored listings

America’s Cup – the last 10 winners

Published on June 17th, 2013 by Editor -->

This year’s America’s Cup takes place in San Francisco Bay, from September 7 to 21, with holders Oracle Team USA facing the best of three challengers: Emirates Team New Zealand (NZL), Luna Rossa (ITA) and Artemis (SWE). Here are details on the last 10 winners of sport’s oldest competition. 2010 Valencia, Spain Challenger BMW Oracle Racing (USA) beat Alinghi (SUI) 2-0. After a long judicial battle, the 33rd “Cup” saw a relatively short (two regattas) clash between the forerunners of the current AC72 catamarans, the USA 17 trimaran (Godzilla) of Oracle and Alinghi’s twin-hull, both 30 metres (nearly 100 feet) long.

2007 Valencia, Spain Defender Alinghi (SUI) beat Team New Zealand 5-2. The race was the last for the International America’s Cup Class — aesthetically pleasing but slow single-hull boats measuring 25 metres.

2003 Auckland, New Zealand Challenger Alinghi (SUI) beat Team New Zealand (NZL) 5-0. The Swiss win their first America’s Cup, humiliating the Kiwis on home waters. 2000 Auckland, New Zealand Defender Team New Zealand beat Prada (ITA) 5-0 in a decisive, flawless performance.

1995 San Diego, United State Challenger Black Magic (NZL) teaches Young America (USA) a lesson, beating them 5-0.

1992 San Diego, United States Defender America 3 (USA) defeated Il Moro di Venezia (ITA) 4-1 in the first edition using the International America’s Cup Class. 1988 San Diego, United States The US catamaran Stars and Stripes beats the challenge by New Zealand monohull KZ1 without any difficulty 2-0 in an unequal, absurd contest. The result was a foregone conclusion even before the first regatta. The US catamaran, only 18 metres long and ultra-light, ran rings around the New Zealand boat, confirming the superiority of multi-hulls over single hulls.

1987 Fremantle, Australia Challenger Stars and Stripes (USA) easily beats Kookaburra 3 (AUS) 4-0, proving to be the final edition for the 12 Meter Class

1983 Newport, Rhode Island (United States) Challenger Australia II (AUS) beats Liberty (USA) 4-3 in a historic victory in the spiritual home of world yachting. The win, ending 132 years of US domination, was attributed to Australia’s winged keel that gave it a significant advantage in manoeuvrability. 1980 Newport, Rhode Island (United States) Defender Freedom (USA) easily beat Australia (AUS) 4-1.

Tags: America's Cup

Related Posts

Mistakes keep USA and Swiss alive →

LVC37: Italy and GBR extend lead →

LVC37: Fast start for GBR, Italy →

Keeping quiet is not a growth formula →

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Name This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

It was like a funeral at the New York Yacht Club when Australia II won the America's Cup after 132 years

Topic: Sailing

Australia II and Liberty race in the finals of the 1983 America's Cup off Newport, Rhode Island. ( Larry Moran, Chicago )

A weepy, funeral-like procession in midtown Manhattan and an empty champagne bottle turned upside down: two striking images from the day the US lost the America's Cup for the first time after more than a century of dominance — exactly 38 years ago.

The New York Yacht Club in mourning might be the last place you'd expect a visiting Australian to try to gatecrash.

But that's where I found myself on that fateful night: borrowing an oversized blue blazer, jumping in a yellow cab to West 44th Street and talking my way into the members' only enclave.

And all because an elitist yachting competition had somehow captivated our entire nation.

It was on September 26, 1983, that Australia II completed an improbable comeback over US boat, Liberty, winning race seven at Newport, Rhode Island, for a 4-3 victory overall, having trailed 3-1.

Back in Australia, a nation celebrated, led by a champagne-soaked prime minister in Perth.

After a night of watching the drama on television, Bob Hawke effectively declared the following day — a Tuesday — a national public holiday, saying: "Any boss who sacks anyone for not turning up today is a bum."

Three hundred kilometres south of the racing off Rhode Island, the New York Yacht Club was in a state of shock, unprepared for the end of a winning streak — the longest in sports — dating back to 1851.

There, more than anywhere else, at the club's home since 1901, the impact of Australia II's triumph was being felt. As uplifting as the result was for underdog Aussies 16,000 kilometres away, it was, in equal measure, devastating for those supporting the losing favourite.

This moment in history coincided with my first trip — a backpacker-style vacation — to the United States. I'd started the marathon journey from Sydney with Australia II headed for a noble defeat but arrived in New York City with John Bertrand's crew pulling off the near impossible.

The America's Cup was the last thing on my mind when air tickets were booked several months earlier.

In holiday mode, joining some fellow Australian journalists in a Manhattan bar, someone remarked what a great story it would be to sneak into the New York Yacht Club to see how the members were handling the shock of losing the cup.

The New York Yacht Club won the first America's Cup in 1851. ( Facebook: New York Yacht Club )

Along with the world's most dangerous and politically unstable hotspots of the time, the New York Yacht Club on that particular September evening might have been a place where all Australians would have been advised against travelling.

Two days before the races started, the club had unsuccessfully tried through the courts to ban Australia II's controversial winged keel, effectively accusing the Royal Perth Yacht Club syndicate of cheating.

Cup transported by armoured vehicle

Precisely when I arrived at the club, its main doors opened and about a dozen members filed out towards a parked van. Half of them were carrying a large wooden box that looked like a coffin. It didn't take long to work out the America's Cup was inside.

The van was a Brinks armoured vehicle, ready to drive sailing's most famous silverware up Interstate 95 to Newport for the official handover — to the enemy.

Ben Lexcen's winged-keel design caused an uproar in the New York Yacht Club. ( ABC News )

Funerals are often slow and measured affairs but this process was rapid and urgent. While the emotions flowed as they might alongside any cortege, there was also an air of chaos and confusion as a trophy representing 132 years of achievement was ingloriously yanked from the gentrified Beux-Arts landmark in less than 60 seconds.

Jason Dasey lands in New York City in September 1983. ( Facebook: Jason Dasey )

Once the vehicle was out of sight, a few of the members lingered on the footpath, trying to make sense of what they had just witnessed, including a middle-aged man with red eyes.

Fortunately, the man did not throw punches in a fit of New York rage when approached by a journalist from Sydney interested in hearing his views. Instead, there was an invitation to join him and his wife for a complimentary dinner at the club.

So, the New York Yacht Club visitors' book for the evening of September 26, 1983, registered one Australian guest.

'Therapy session' over steak dinner

In the heart of a city with the world's highest concentration of psychiatrists, the meal with a gracious American host had the unfettered air of a therapy session. And, with the Cold War still in full swing, it was also a kind of entente cordiale: two potential adversaries breaking bread in the name of a higher cause.

That same day, Soviet military officer Stanislav Petrov averted a possible nuclear war by correctly identifying a US missile attack warning in Moscow as a false alarm. On American soil, Zimbabwe Prime Minister Robert Mugabe, who had risen to power three years earlier, was on a tense state visit to Washington DC.

The New York Yacht Club successfully defended the America's Cup 24 times in a row before its 1983 defeat. ( Facebook: California Academy of Sciences )

During our dinner, the man opened up in a way one wouldn't have imagined, speaking about his personal pain and sense of loss in saying goodbye to the Auld Mug. For him, the America's Cup — the trophy — was like a close friend whose reassuring presence provided almost daily comfort within the exclusive confines of the club.

The man also shared an insider's account of how the decisive seventh race of the series played out for him and the other members.

Club with no TV and 'ship-at-sea echo'

In contrast to Manhattan's rowdy sports bars, the New York Yacht Club had (in its own words) a "ship-at-sea echo". Then, like now, it was a cosy and refined refuge where members could peacefully enjoy a drink, meal and thoughtful conversation without distraction.

So, with no television or radio on the premises, the only way to get updates on the racing was from an open telephone line to Newport.

Because retaining the America's Cup was almost a formality, members hadn't felt the need to closely follow each day's racing. Most of the previous series were lopsided, with the defender rarely troubled. The US had lost only three of 39 races dating back to 1937, and had dropped just nine races since the America's Cup began in 1851.

But, with the 1983 series tied at 3-3 going into race seven, one member, with a no-dial rotary telephone in hand, was given the job of relaying information from Newport to an increasingly concerned gathering within the club.

Dennis Conner (right) with Alan Bond in 2005, suffered an unexpected defeat as skipper of Liberty. ( AFP: Greg Wood )

Under respected skipper Dennis Conner, Liberty started well and seemed on course for victory. But after surrendering the lead on the penultimate leg, the American yacht was unable to get it back, despite Conner tacking 47 times before the finish.

Australia II, expertly piloted by Olympic medallist Bertrand, crossed the line 41 seconds ahead to clinch the series, meaning the challenger had defied sudden death by taking the last three races to win.

After we had a magnificent steak dinner in the dining room, the man introduced me to other members, with an invitation to look around the club that had operated on that site since 1901. Walking through the various sections, the detail and quality of the many replica boats and ships on display in its trophy room was impressive.

Skipper John Bertrand was hailed as a hero on his return to Australia in 1983. ( National Archives of Australia: A6135, K31/10/83/2 )

Champagne bottle replaces missing cup

What stood out was the sizeable display case that had protected the America's Cup until a few hours earlier.

Instead of showing off precious silverware, the structure now housed an empty champagne bottle, its spout pointing to the floor, symbolic of an institution whose world had been turned upside down.

After the man and his wife had gone home, I wrote my story by hand on New York Yacht Club letterhead in a quiet corner of the club. Then, in those early days of computers long before email, the article was dictated on a reverse-charges telephone call to a typist back at the Sydney Morning Herald for the next day's edition.

Just after midnight, this Australian visitor was the second-last person to leave the club, let out the front door by the night security guard.

John Bertrand and Alan Bond joined former prime minister Bob Hawke in Sydney on the 30th anniversary of the America's Cup victory in 2013. ( AAP: Dean Lewins )

For someone who didn't live through Australia's unexpected success off the Rhode Island coast, it is difficult to explain four decades later the significance of winning — let's face it — a relatively obscure sporting event.

But Bertrand's unexpected success, powered by Ben Lexcen's winged keel and Alan Bond's cash, seemed to energise a nation down on its competitive luck.

Australia had won just nine medals at the ill-fated and partly boycotted 1980 Moscow Olympics and only five — with no gold — at the Montreal Games four years before that. Compare that to 46 medals, with 17 golds at the recent Tokyo Olympics.

Boxing Kangaroo flag galvanises a nation

The boxing Kangaroo flag that fluttered in the Rhode Island breeze off Australia II's forestay became a symbol of its triumph. And it would epitomise our fighting spirit in decades of other sporting battles to come. Rather than the nagging feeling that we might not be good enough, sticking it to the Yanks in their own — ahem — waterways when all seemed lost, proved that anything was possible.

The triumph came just seven months into Bob Hawke's first term as prime minister and remains one of his most endearing moments, setting the tone for his tenure. Wearing a gaudy Australian-branded sports coat, his euphoria bubbled over in the early hours amongst a packed crowd at the Royal Perth Yacht Club. Indeed, as a proud West Australian, this moment was even sweeter.

Years later, the America's Cup would be voted by the readers of my old newspaper as the greatest day in Australian sports history, more significant than winning world cups in rugby and cricket and staging the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.

The boxing kangaroo at the Australian team's base at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. ( Mark Raltson: AFP )

It remains the only time Australia has actually won the America's Cup. In a disastrous defence at Fremantle four years later, Kookaburra III was trounced 4-0 by Stars and Stripes 87, skippered by 1983 loser, Dennis Conner. Conner's tale of redemption is featured in a 1992 film, Wind.

New Zealand is the current holder of the America's Cup, having successfully defended the trophy in March — winning it for the fourth time — after  Emirates Team New Zealand defeated Italy's Luna Rossa by seven races to three off the coast of Auckland.

After leaving the New York Yacht Club on that autumn night in 1983,  I took a reflective stroll back to my accommodation a few blocks away near Times Square.

I rounded a corner, past the open doors of a late-night bar whose house band was cranking out a raucous version of Who Can It Be Now? by Men At Work. The Melbourne group's other big hit, Down Under, was the unofficial anthem of Australia II's challenge, but I'd never heard US musicians covering Australian artists before.

In those pre-Crocodile Dundee days, the full brunt of Australia's cultural awakening and transformation — and the resulting international invasion — was still a few years away.

But for a split second on that last Tuesday in September 1983, I caught a glimpse of the future.

‘Columbia’ Captures the 1958 America's Cup

In a new class of boats, americans continue to dominate a century-old race.

The year was 1958 and the America’s Cup held its first race in over 20 years, the longest gap between challenges in the history of the ocean-going competition. The Royal Yacht Squadron (RYS), the challenger, launched their newly-christened Sceptre from the Scottish docks. The New York Yacht Club (NYYC), the defender, answered with the Columbia , a boat constructed on City Island in the Bronx.

In the waters off Newport, Rhode Island, Columbia ended up sweeping its rival 4-0.

Sceptre ’s heavy defeat resulted in great disappointment across the Atlantic where hopes for victory on the waves were once again dashed. A combination of factors was cited for her underwhelming results, including inadequate test trials at home. For the U.S., superior yacht design and masterful skills against the wind were proven once again in a new class of boats. Americans would keep defending the Cup successfully with the 12-meters until 1983 when the Royal Perth Yacht Club sailed the Australia II to victory, putting an end to the NYYC’s 132-year reign.

ENJOY OUR CONTENT? SIGN UP FOR OUR FREE WEEKLY NEWSLETTER AND SHARE ON YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA

SPORTS HISTORY MAGAZINE in DIGITAL

Winter 2020

Spring 2020

Spring 2021

Winter 2021

Shop For Our Books & DVD's

BRIGGS CUNNINGHAM: American Racing Tradition TALE OF AN AMERICAN SPORTSMAN

The america's cup, the america’s cup – 1958, text by kane rogers.

View photographer Cory Silken’s “Yacht Columbia – America’s Cup Winner 1958” gallery here .

Click here to read “The America’s Cup: An Insider’s View,” by Bob Bavier.

Prior to 1958, the last defense of the America’s Cup had been in 1937, by the J-Class yacht Ranger , owned by Harold S. “Mike” Vanderbilt. The J-Class rules prescribing a vessel of some 120 feet in length were promoted by Vanderbilt and others for the defense planned for 1958, but economic concerns and the desire among aspiring competitors to employ smaller dual-purpose yachts won the day. The New York Yacht Club settled on the twelve-meter class rules, reducing the length of the average vessel to around sixty-five feet. Harry Sears, then the club’s commodore, formed a syndicate to build the ship and asked Briggs to join to help with finances.

Although building and racing his cars had long been Briggs’ primary field of endeavor, he had never stopped sailing, and he agreed to join the effort. Sailing legend Cornelius Shields was appointed as the team’s skipper but, when he suffered a heart attack, Sears asked Cunningham to take Shields’ place.

As a member of five East Coast yacht clubs, with almost thirty years’ experience racing several different classes of vessel, Briggs was a solid choice to lead. The one thing he lacked was experience with the starting strategy required by the head-to-head style of America’s Cup competition. Shields, a master of this type of racing, was happy to impart his knowledge to Cunningham, who proved an able student.

Unfortunately, as skipper it was Briggs who had to inform Shields that he could not remain a member of the crew; if he suffered an attack during competition and had to be taken to the hospital, it would leave them a man short and result in their disqualification. It was a tough moment for both men, but it was also characteristic of both to do what was best for the team.

The eliminations for the American side would prove to be more exciting than the final races. Four twelve-metre yachts, Easterner , Weatherly , Vim and Columbia , survived two months of run-offs to compete in the final eight-day round of match races to determine the defender of the America’s Cup. Of the four contenders, only the Vim had raced previously, but the nineteen-year-old vessel was so completely refitted as to be virtually brand new. The Easterner and Weatherly had been hurriedly completed and neither was fully prepared to compete, although the Weatherly would successfully defend the Cup in 1962.

Columbia benefited from a strong syndicate whose membership included Harry Sears, Olin Stephens, the designer of the Vim , and Cornelius Shields, Jr., who occasionally spelled Briggs as skipper. The competition finally narrowed to Vim and Columbia , which prevailed by virtue of her ability to better handle rough seas and strong winds.

The British challenger, Sceptre , entered by the Royal Yacht Squadron and skippered by Graham Mann, was a quite rotund 68,000 pounds compared to the svelte Columbia at 57,000 pounds, and the event was decided in four straight wins by the Americans.

During the post-race celebrations, Briggs located a pay phone and called Alfred Momo at Watkins Glen, where Ed Crawford had just won the main race. As Briggs was returning to join his crew, a reporter approached and commented, “Briggs, that was a fine race!” to which Briggs, still with the Glen on his mind, replied, “That’s what I just heard. I wish I could have seen it.”

Website Disclaimer

Please read the disclaimer prior to entering this website. You may access it by clicking here .

Yachting World

• Digital Edition

Everything you need to know about the Youth America’s Cup 2024

• Toby Heppell
• September 17, 2024

The Youth America's Cup will see 12 teams competing in Barcelona in AC40 foiling monohulls to claim the Youth America's Cup Trophy

The 2024 Youth America’s Cup is set to get underway today Tuesday 17 September 2024 in Barcelona. Sponsored by UniCredit, the event will bring together the best young sailors from around the globe to compete in a knock out series to crown the Youth America’s Cup champion.

The inaugural Red Bull Youth America’s Cup was introduced in San Francisco and the winners of that regatta are now leading names in sailing.

Peter Burling , today the skipper of the Defender of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup , skippered the ‘NZL Sailing Team with Emirates Team New Zealand’ that featured stellar names like Blair Tuke, Andy Maloney and Sam Meech who are all involved with Emirates Team New Zealand in 2024.

Other names in that regatta, which was then held in non-foiling AC45 catamarans, include Jason Saunders (now with Orient Express Racing Team ), Lucien Cujean and Jason Waterhouse (both now with Alinghi Red Bull Racing ).

The Land Rover BAR team were crowned 2017 Red Bull Youth America’s Cup Champions last time the event took place

Following the success of that inaugural regatta, the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup returned in 2017 in the crystal waters of Bermuda with the upgraded AC45F foiling catamaran and this time it was the British ‘GBR Land Rover BAR Academy’ team that lifted the trophy. Onboard was Neil Hunter, the powerhouse cyclor who was quickly snapped up by the senior team and is now a key member of the INEOS Britannia squad.

The Youth America’s Cup did not take place during the 2021 America’s Cup in Auckland, but has been reintroduced for this latest edition of the event.

Article continues below…

AC40: the America’s Cup class’ younger sister

The 37th America’s Cup may be retaining the AC75 – albeit with a tweaked rule set – for actual Cup…

British Women’s and Youth America’s Cup squads unveiled

The British team is seeking to win the first ever Women’s America’s Cup. It will also be aiming to defend…

The UniCredit Youth America’s Cup, is scheduled from September 17 to 26, 2024 and is open to sailors aged 18 to 25, it promises to showcase the talents of young athletes from 12 countries, all vying for top honours in foiling yacht racing.

The event will feature both fleet racing and match-racing formats, allowing teams to test their mettle in the different racing tyles. Fleet races will be the order of the day initially  while match-races will see two boats go head-to-head in a knockout format.

The Youth America’s Cup Venue

The races will be held at the Port Olímpic in Barcelona, a prime waterfront location that has undergone significant renovation in recent years. Built for the 1992 Olympic Games, the port is now a hub of Barcelona’s maritime culture and is the area in which the Louis Vuitton Cup and America’s Cup are taking place. Fans will have an incredible opportunity to view the races close up from the waterfront and beaches, adding a unique level of engagement to the event.

An AC40 in action. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

The Boats: AC40

The Youth America’s Cup will take place in the AC40 a one-design foiling monohull that has been used by America’s Cup teams for training, development and America’s Cup preliminary regattas.

The purchase of one AC40 was a prerequisite to entry into the 37th America’s Cup with the boats being used for an America’s Cup preliminary series (consisting of two events in the run up to the Cup itself), and also the reintroduced Youth America’s Cup.

Both the Youth AC and Preliminary Events (previously called the America’s Cup World Series) concept have been a feature of past America’s Cups, but both were dropped in the run-up to the 36th America’s Cup in Auckland.

The AC40 is designed to behave in a similar way to the America’s Cup boats , the AC75 . They have two large, weighted foils on either side of the boat but no traditional keel.

The boats are designed to foil on one foil only with the windward foil raised out of the water to reduce drag and provide increased righting moment.

With only four crew members onboard the AC40 there is a reliance on a variety of automated systems, including a battery powered system replacing the need for grinders, and automated controls to adjust foiling height and self-tacking headsails.

In terms of the rig, the AC40 again mimics the AC75s and features the same D-shaped mast on which two sail skins will be hoisted to create a soft wingsail, offering plenty of control in a sail plan that can be easily raised and lowered from onboard.

Youth America’s Cup Format

The competition kicked off with five days of training from September 10 to 16, giving the teams a chance to familiarise themselves with the AC40s. The race series begins with the Qualification Series from September 17 to 21, where the teams are split into two groups. The top three teams from each group will progress to the Final Series on September 22, followed by the Match-Race Final on September 26.

The format challenges the sailors in both fleet and match-racing, testing their versatility and adaptability across multiple racing styles.

Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

Youth America’s Cup teams

Twelve teams from around the world, will compete for the trophy. These teams represent both traditional America’s Cup contenders and yacht clubs from across the globe, reflecting the growing international appeal of youth sailing. Teams will consist of four sailors each, with a mix of helmsmen and trimmers. The Teams in the Youth America’s Cup are:

• New Zealand – Emirates Team New Zealand – representing the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron (RNZYS)
• Great Britain – Athena Pathway – representing the Royal Yacht Squadron Ltd (RYS)
• Switzerland – Alinghi Red Bull Racing – representing Société Nautique de Genève (SNG)
• Italy – Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli – representing Circolo della Vela Sicilia (CVS)
• USA – NYYC American Magic – representing New York Yacht Club (NYYC)
• France – Orient Express – L’Oréal Racing Team – representing Société Nautique Saint-Tropez (SNST)
• Spain – Sail Team BCN Real – representing Club Náutico de Barcelona (RCNB)
• The Netherlands – JAJO Team DutchSail – representing Koninklijke Nederlandsche Zeil- & Roeivereeniging (KNZ&RV) Royal Maas Yacht Club (KR&ZV ‘De Maas’)
• Canada – Concord Pacific Racing – representing Royal Vancouver Yacht Club (RVYC)
• Germany – Youth America’s Cup Team Germany – representing Kieler Yacht Club, Verein Seglerhaus am Norddeutscher Regattaverein, Bayrischer Yacht-Club
• Sweden – Swedish Challenge Powered by Artemis Technologies – representing Royal Swedish Yacht Club (KSSS), Royal Gothenburg Yacht Club (GKSS)
• Australia – Andoo Team Australia – representing Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

Youth America’s Cup, Youth Presentation. Photo: Ricardo Pinto / America’s Cup

How to watch the Youth America’s Cup

The Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup has partnered with broadcasters in some territories but most sailors will be able to catch it live on the America’s Cup Facebook and YouTube pages, as well as www.americascup.com . If you missed the races or want to relive the action, full replays are available immediately after the racing finishes.

Follow all of our 2024 America’s Cup coverage

If you enjoyed this….

Yachting World is the world’s leading magazine for bluewater cruisers and offshore sailors. Every month we have inspirational adventures and practical features to help you realise your sailing dreams. Build your knowledge with a subscription delivered to your door. See our latest offers and save at least 30% off the cover price.

TEAMS ON THE BRINK ON DAY THREE OF THE LOUIS VUITTON CUP SEMI-FINALS

For two of the most famous yacht clubs in the world, both with winning histories in the America’s Cup, today could see the end of their representative team’s challenges by two clubs that have never won the Cup.

The Société Nautique de Genève, that won the Cup in 2003 and defended in 2007, and the New York Yacht Club that famously still holds the record for the longest winning sporting streak in sports history, having defended the trophy for 132 years, know that any defeat today and their challenges will be extinguished by the Royal Yacht Squadron and the Circolo della Vela Sicilia, respectively.

The teams, Alinghi Red Bull Racing and NYYC American Magic both stand on the brink of elimination at 4-0 down in this first-to-five series and, with no room for error, it’s a considerable challenge to stage a come back. That’s not to say that it hasn’t been done before or can’t be done this time – the America’s Cup has a tradition of noble fightbacks from the cliff-edge of elimination, but with INEOS Britannia and Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli both performing at a very high level, it’s a tough ask.

Mother Nature often has her say in sailing competitions and today the conditions look tricky. After a morning of bright sunshine with the wind draining off from the north, as the afternoon progresses the forecasters are suggesting a six to nine-knot southerly ‘Migjorn.’ Recent days have seen more, much more, than expected as the velocity of southerly airflow is dictated by a number of variables, including offshore wind patterns and the effects of the mistral to the north.

The Port Vell is a busy place at the moment with an armada of yachts of all sizes in harbour, matched by the crowds at the free-to-enter Fanzones at Bogatell and Plaça del Mar whilst the Official Race Village along the Moll de la Fusta has been thronged with engaged fans thoroughly enjoying the spectacle of the Louis Vuitton Cup on a daily basis.

CHECK BACK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES FROM THE RACECOURSE STARTING AT 14:00 CET

Alinghi Red Bull Racing (Port Entry) vs. INEOS Britannia

Now or never for the Swiss, this is do-or-die as they stand on the brink of elimination. Lose and their campaign ends abruptly. Win and it’s game on. Conditions are light and tricky so both boats are on their biggest J1 jibs. After a short delay due to failing the wind-limit, the race got underway with both boats struggling to maintain flight and keeping a very notable distance between each other to avoid the effects of wing-wash.

On the lead back to the line, Britannia gybe on the face of Alinghi Red Bull Racing and set up to start to leeward, forcing the Swiss above the start line. As both boats ducked back behind the line for the final approaches at the port end, the pair wound up and the Swiss were called over the line by just 4 metres and the subsequent 75 metre get-behind penalty could be telling. Long race to come though, and plenty of jeopardy. Britannia holds the initial advantage and up the first windward leg it is all about pressure spotting and keeping manoeuvres to a minimum.

At the top gate, INEOS Britannia leads by 17 seconds and the Swiss split tactics initially down the first run, but at the first cross the British are ahead and gybe to cover. It’s close down this first run, and at the end both boats are sailing high angles to stay on the foils with the Swiss struggling to stay airborne. Britannia round the first leeward gate with the margin up to one minute and 10 seconds but on the first tack at the boundary, the British fall off the foils and the Swiss take full advantage, riding high on their foils through their first tack to seize the lead. The British manage to get up again before the right boundary but then fall off again through the tack. The Swiss build a lead out to over 500 metres as the Race Committee shortened the course legs to a distance of one nautical mile. By the second windward mark, Alinghi Red Bull Racing’s lead was up to a full leg ahead as the British fell off the foils again, copped a boundary penalty and look to be really struggling in the conditions.

For Alinghi Red Bull Racing, welcome news came over the headset that the Race Committee were shortening the course to just five legs but on the next gybe, with the leeward gate in sight, they fell off the foils themselves and now both boats are in displacement mode with the British struggling to get to the second windward mark.

Now it’s a race against the race time-limit of 45 minutes as the wind shuts down across the course with the Swiss less than a nautical mile from the finish. Slowly they ghosted up the final windward leg, sailing super-wide angles to try and build speed. It was looking touch & go as to whether the sailors could will ‘BoatOne’ across the line within the time-limit, but in the final quarter the zephyrs filtered down just enough and the Swiss have a lifeline. It’s 4-1 in this side of the Louis Vuitton Cup Semi-Final.   

Alinghi Red Bull Racing bt. INEOS Britannia INEOS Britannia lead 4-1

NYYC American Magic (Port Entry) vs. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli

After a short delay for the wind to build in, racing got underway with Magic entering the pre-start box bang on cue to make the cross but both boats are being super-careful to avoid wing-wash and keeping a wide separation.

On the lead back to the line, Magic goes very early and attempts to catch the Italians on a port/starboard which is avoided and at the start both boats dip in from the windward side of the the line with Luna Rossa to windward. Immediately Luna Rossa goes into a high mode with more speed and all the pressure is on Magic on the drag race to the boundary.

Both boats tack in sync but it’s the Italians with the crucial boat position to windward and Magic losing ground before being forced to tack mid-course to clear their wind. Italy and ignores the move and heads straight to the port layline whilst Magic sets up on the starboard layline. The delta is 17 seconds to Luna Rossa and Magic split the tactics downwind. As the boats come together mid-course, neither boat has gained or lost and the helms are looking for the pressure patches further down the course.

Luna Rossa executes the downwind well, keeping manoeuvres to a minimum and rounds with the lead still at 17 seconds. Crucially Magic splits the course and heads right initially on the second upwind which brings them back in contention as they come back on starboard tack and force Luna Rossa to make a huge dip to avoid, during which the Italians get a penalty for a boat boundary infringement that is easily washed off as the boats split sides of the course.

It’s all about the pressure up at the top end of the course now and again there’s a port/starboard incident with Italy getting another penalty for crossing too close ahead. Again the penalty is expunged easily, but at the top mark Magic has the lead with a three second advantage whilst Luna Rossa raises a protest for another close port/starboard incident in the final approaches to the gate. No penalty.

Thrilling race, downwind at the first cross, Magic holds the starboard advantage and cross ahead but give the right side up to the Italians as both boats go to either side of the course before coming back for another cross. This time, Magic has gained a boatlength and crosses ahead to get to the right for the final approaches on the port layline.

Luna Rossa come inside at the same starboard marker attempting to force an incident within the two-boat circle around the buoy and it’s a call that simply doesn’t work. American Magic take the appropriate avoiding action and sail around the outside as the Italians fall off the foils. In these conditions and on a boundary course it becomes almost impossible for Luna Rossa to build speed to re-attain flight and Magic builds an impressive lead of well over 1500 metres. All American Magic have to do is stay on the foils and this race is theirs.

Down the final run, Tom Slingsby and Lucas Calabrese make no mistakes, converting the opportunity with great flight control from Andrew Campbell and Mike Menninger, scoring a brilliant win to keep their Louis Vuitton Cup semi-final hopes alive and take the scoreline to 4-1. This has been coming for a while. Great execution by NYYC American Magic.

NYYC American Magic bt. Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli  Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 4-1