While the Louis Vuitton Cup that will determine the challenger to the America’s Cup is underway, there are many questions being asked about this ancient and prestigious regatta. Here are the ones that came to mind and to which we have tried to give an answer.
When was the 37th America’s Cup Protocol first published?
On 15th November 2021. It consists of 73 articles on 81 pages. The Protocol establishes the founding rules of the America’s Cup, drafted according to the principles recorded in the Deed of Gift by the New York Yacht Club, which structured the competition in 1887. The Protocol consists of 11 sections. In the first it explains how the Royal Yacht Squadron Racing Limited became the Challenger of Record by presenting its challenge soon after New Zealand’s victory over Luna Rossa in 2021. It also lists the objectives of the 37th edition: to maintain the balance between sailing and design, to keep the America’s Cup at the forefront of technology, to strive to increase the number of competitors involved and the number of spectators, to cut the boats’ design, production and management costs of events and finally to maintain the value of the existing fleet of AC75s.
What ever happened to the America?
The America, designed by George Steers, built by the William H. Brown shipyard in New York and launched on 3 May 1851, was finally lost in 1945 when the last of its wreckage was burnt after a snowfall collapsed the shed at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, USA, where she was housed. The schooner had arrived there following a final restoration in 1921. She was 30.86 m long (27.38 at the waterline), 6.85 m wide with a draught of 3.33 m. Her sail plan spanned a surface area of 492 sqm.
Can winners just do what they want?
By accepting the Protocol, participants in the 37th America’s Cup are committed, in the event of victory, to using the same boats, the AC75s. What remains at the discretion of the future Defender, in agreement with the Challenger of Record, is to choose the location and date of the next challenge. In 1988, New Zealand’s Mercury Bay Boating Club challenged the San Diego Yacht Club’s Defender, which responded to the 36.5-metre monohull KZ-1 (helmsman David Barnes) with the 18-metre catamaran Stars and Stripes (helmsman Dennis Conner), winning 2-0.
Are the AC75s used in Barcelona different from those used in Auckland 2021?
Besides being lighter and carrying a smaller crew compared to the 36th edition, the AC75s built for Barcelona 2024 (each team was allowed to only build one), now designed to operate with cyclors rather than grinders, feature new and improved electronics, hydraulics and software. Building a new AC75 is estimated to take around 100,000 hours of design and 65-70,000 hours of construction.
Which is the largest boat to have raced in the America’s Cup?
From 1930 to 1937 the America’s Cup was contested aboard J Class yachts. The longest among them (39.95 metres) was US tycoon Harold Stirling Vanderbilt’s Defender Rainbow (opposite), which defeated British Challenger Sir Thomas Sopwith’s 39.56-metre-long Endeavour IV. Following the Second World War, the J Classes gave way to the international 12-Metre standard.
What have the teams used for training?
In addition to the AC40s, similar to the AC75s but 12 metres in length, a number of teams (such as Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli) also built prototypes called LEQ12s. Others have preferred to implement their own innovations on board the AC40s, making them semi-LEQ12s.
Which nation has won the Cup the most times?
The United States with 29 wins (24 consecutive between 1870 and 1983) followed by New Zealand (4 wins), Switzerland (2) and Australia (1).
Has a woman ever won the Cup?
Not yet, however, back in 1886 during the 6th edition, on board the Scottish challenger Galatea and joined by her pet monkey was Susan Matilda Cunninghame-Graham-Bartholomew, wife of the English owner William “Paddy” Henn. Galatea lost 0-2 against the New York Yacht Club’s Defender Mayflower. In 1995, sponsored by Bill Koch, winner of the 1992 Cup onboard the America3, the American Dawn Riley led the all-female crew of Mighty Mary to the selection of the US Defender.
Who is the youngest Cup winner?
New Zealander Peter Burling, helmsman of Emirates Team New Zealand and winner at the age of 26 in 2021. Before him came Australian James Spithill, winner at the age of 30 in Valencia 2010. In order to increase the number of sailors in the America’s Cup, the 37th edition also includes the Unicredit Youth America’s Cup (17-26 September) and the Puig Women’s America’s Cup (5-13 October) both onboard the AC40s, a shortened version of the AC75s at 12 metres in length.
How much does it cost to take part in the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup?
The entry fee is $1 million, to be paid within one week of the Defender accepting the challenge. This is followed by an installment of $1,250,000 (payable in installments but for a total of $1.4 million) and another million as a participation deposit. In addition, services must be paid for (such as a website) along with the shared costs of the weather service, etc. The Defender is not required to pay the entry fees or deposit.
Was the phrase “there is no second” actually uttered?
There is no evidence or direct testimony of Queen Victoria’s question to the chief signalman of the royal yacht as to who was behind America. And the same goes for the reply “there is no second”, now a symbol of the America’s Cup. However, English journalist and author of “There is no second” Magnus Wheatley (published for the 37th Louis Vuitton America’s Cup and on sale at www.americascup.com), after two years of research, assures us he knows the name of the chief signalman who answered the royal question and thus made history.
Which is the largest team?
INEOS Britannia lists 246 members in its presentation while the “smallest” is Orient Express with 106. As for the others: American Magic 168, Alinghi Red Bull Racing 151; Emirates Team New Zealand 141, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli 125.
