Hub - Erica Lay‘s Weekly Column 15/08/24
America’s Cup: Origins & History – Part One. With Courtesy of Erica Lay & The Mallorca Bulletin. #24/131.
Erica Lay owner of EL CREW International Yacht Crew Agency http://www.elcrewco.com/
America’s Cup: Origins & History – Part One, 1851 - 1992
The trophy holder (the defender) sets the terms of the competition
1903 America’s Cup: Reliance (left) and Shamrock III (right) before the race.
Photo: Wikipedia
With the highly anticipated America’s Cup starting just over the road in Barcelona on August 22nd, here in Mallorca we’re seeing some magnificent yachts heading over to join the spectators of one of the most incredible sporting spectacles on the sailing calendar. So, what’s it all about? The America’s Cup, recognised as the peak of yacht racing, is more than a sailing competition; it reflects human ingenuity, determination, and the pursuit of excellence on the seas. In short: it’s a big deal. As one of the oldest international sporting trophies, the America’s Cup has a history spanning over 170 years, highlighting the evolution of maritime technology and competitive spirit. And sometimes, as we’ll see, that spirit is fighty…
The America’s Cup dates back to August 1851, when the Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain organised a race for the Hundred Guinea Cup around the Isle of Wight. The schooner America, representing the New York Yacht Club, sailed to victory against a fleet of British yachts. This triumph not only secured that trophy, known as the “Auld Mug,“ for the United States but also set the stage for a new era in competitive sailing. The victory of the America was a significant achievement, as it demonstrated the superiority of American yacht design and sailing prowess at a time when Britain was considered the dominant force in maritime affairs.
The unique structure of the America’s Cup, where the trophy holder (the defender) sets the terms of the competition and the challenger must accept these conditions, has contributed to the event’s appeal and complexity. This format has led to intense rivalries and dramatic races, as challengers strive to outsmart and outmanoeuvre the defending champions. Over the years, this dynamic has spurred significant advancements in yacht design, sailing techniques, and materials. And also some lengthy court cases and disagreements!
From the 1920s, the defender and the challenger yachts have been determined through elimination trials. There’s only ever one challenger and that country/yacht is decided upon in the Challenger Selection Series which takes place before the main race.
Both yachts must be designed, built, and equipped (as much as is possible), within the country they are representing. Originally, the rules of the America’s Cup presented several challenges for the competing yachts. One significant rule, which was not removed until 1956, required challengers to sail to the competition site on their own hulls, necessitating a heavier construction compared to the defenders which was a bit of an unfair disadvantage for the challengers! The competition format was a best-of-seven series of races until 1995, whereupon it changed to a best-of-nine series which ran until 2007.
In the early days, races were all about the wealthy sportsmen who owned these 20-27m yachts, this really peaked in the 1930s with the infamous J Class yachts (such as the British Endeavour, and the American Velsheda). World War II slowed things down significantly and after twenty years with no challenge, the New York Yacht Club made some changes to allow the new 12m class to compete. Despite the name, no measurement on these yachts was actually 12 metres; the “12” referred to a complex mathematical formula used in their design. Between 1958 and 1987, each race took place on a six-leg, 24-mile (39-kilometre) course.
One of the most notable periods in the America’s Cup history was the long reign of the New York Yacht Club, which successfully defended the trophy 24 times from 1857 to 1983. This remarkable streak was broken by the Australian yacht Australia II from the Royal Perth Yacht Club, which introduced a revolutionary winged keel design that gave it a decisive edge. The victory of Australia II not only ended the longest winning streak in the sport (and actually in any sport, ever) but also marked a turning point, inspiring greater international participation and innovation.
The next race, in 1987, saw the Americans win the cup back but no longer under the New York Yacht Club – this time it was down to the San Diego Yacht Club. One year later in 1988 things got heated. The race between the Americans and the challengers New Zealand ended up being decided in the courts and the result from this dispute was a revamping of the rules for the races.
In 1990 the 12m class made way for the International America’s Cup Class which continued until 2007. These yachts all had to be designed to the same formula, some typical stipulations included length of 25m, weight of 24 tonnes, 35m mast, plus sail surface areas were specified.
And that’s all we’ve got time for this week! Tune in next week to hear about the modern America’s Cup story, from 1992 up to present day.
Erica Lay
Since 2007, Erica has worked as an international superyacht crew agent, building a strong reputation for honesty, drive, and treating every client's needs with laser-focused precision. Known for her straight-talking approach, she treats every placement like a new project, leveraging her deep industry knowledge to deliver unmatched results. On the side of this successful business she moonlights as a freelance journalist, writing regular columns for the industry’s top publications. Erica uses her platforms to tackle important crew topics that others shy away from. A passionate ambassador for mental health awareness, she's always pushing to improve the industry for everyone. And she's conscious of her own skills - a big advocate for continuing professional development she's always up to something new to ensure her agency, EL CREW CO, continues to evolve with the times and changing industry environment. Erica also recently launched a new CV service, designed to help more experienced crew who want to elevate their professional profiles—because she understands that being the best requires attention to every detail.