Very interesting history. I am familiar with the American Yacht race, but not the background of the race. American ingenuity and dogged determination rose to the occasion to win the title. The fact that the British deliberately set the Americans up to fail and they overcame the odds shows the strength of the “underdog”. Never count us out. The Americans retained the title for over a hundred years. That includes many generations. It’s an inspiring story of what Americans can accomplish and gives hope for future generations to follow in the footsteps of those who paved the way.
The New York Yacht club defended the cup 25 times and won in every occasion except the 25th defense in 1983. Ted Turner was one of the skippers that won the cup in 1977 with Courageous. The Australian businessman Alan Bond hard tried to wrestle the cup from New York Yacht club two times before and had lost but in 1983 they came back with a radical 12 meter design of a winged keel. The keel was all in secrecy and they had a curtain around it. The Australia II was fast and unbeatable. Dennis Conner the master American sailor was actually ahead of Australia II but ultimately the defense lost to the Perth Yacht club and the cup went back down under. However, as usual Dennis Conner was back in 1987 with a new radical design 12 meter helped by Cray Research the super Computer company in Minneapolis, MN. The Stars and Stripes 12 meter was unbeatable and brought the cup back to the United States. Unfortunately, the current America’s cup competition format has changed and it is no longer the sailors of one country against the others. In those days the cup had more nationalistic trends rather than the current money and marketing. All crews now are from different countries and it is no longer a nationalistic competition. I used to love the old ways and have never been able to associate with the new format.
Ah! Even though succinctly recounted, the imagination takes over to experience (somewhat) that struggle around Wight, and then the triumphant crossing of the finish line by the America. What an event that must have been to experience!
Love the closing banter with Queen Victoria, “Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second.”
Nice story and a good historical piece. More lighthearted (to us, not the British !) than usual, but a pleasant change up. I enjoyed the read. Thanks, Tara !
As a young teen and boat builder and sailer in the Pacific Ocean I appreciate this story as I was always taken by the history and followed the America’s Cup races until I moved inland about 4 years ago, as I no longer can sail the blue Pacific. I still have a love for the ocean and visit it frequently but … that is a story for another day…. 😂
I have always tried to keep track of the races but they do not garner the attention they once did. Thanks for the memory of this great race!
Wow. I did not know any of this story. Thank you Tara. I, of course, knew of the America's cup but now, I understand why it is so prestigious.
The more established Brits were supposed the trounce the young upstart Americans? And they beat them instead? This sounds familiar! 😆
Very interesting history. I am familiar with the American Yacht race, but not the background of the race. American ingenuity and dogged determination rose to the occasion to win the title. The fact that the British deliberately set the Americans up to fail and they overcame the odds shows the strength of the “underdog”. Never count us out. The Americans retained the title for over a hundred years. That includes many generations. It’s an inspiring story of what Americans can accomplish and gives hope for future generations to follow in the footsteps of those who paved the way.
The New York Yacht club defended the cup 25 times and won in every occasion except the 25th defense in 1983. Ted Turner was one of the skippers that won the cup in 1977 with Courageous. The Australian businessman Alan Bond hard tried to wrestle the cup from New York Yacht club two times before and had lost but in 1983 they came back with a radical 12 meter design of a winged keel. The keel was all in secrecy and they had a curtain around it. The Australia II was fast and unbeatable. Dennis Conner the master American sailor was actually ahead of Australia II but ultimately the defense lost to the Perth Yacht club and the cup went back down under. However, as usual Dennis Conner was back in 1987 with a new radical design 12 meter helped by Cray Research the super Computer company in Minneapolis, MN. The Stars and Stripes 12 meter was unbeatable and brought the cup back to the United States. Unfortunately, the current America’s cup competition format has changed and it is no longer the sailors of one country against the others. In those days the cup had more nationalistic trends rather than the current money and marketing. All crews now are from different countries and it is no longer a nationalistic competition. I used to love the old ways and have never been able to associate with the new format.
Ah! Even though succinctly recounted, the imagination takes over to experience (somewhat) that struggle around Wight, and then the triumphant crossing of the finish line by the America. What an event that must have been to experience!
Love the closing banter with Queen Victoria, “Ah, Your Majesty, there is no second.”
Great story, reminds me somewhat of America's 1980 Hockey team that won Gold when no one thought they would even metal!!! Thanks Tara!!!
The race foreshadowed America's ascendency over the British in overall naval power.
Nice story and a good historical piece. More lighthearted (to us, not the British !) than usual, but a pleasant change up. I enjoyed the read. Thanks, Tara !
Thank you, Tara.
Oh, I love it! "America is first and there is no second "... thanks Tara
Loving hearing how this famous race and winner began. A greet week of lessons. Thank you Tara.
🇺🇲 Gotta love the deja-vu feeling 🇺🇸
Thanks, TR!
Beautiful Schooner photos too!! Thank you.
As a young teen and boat builder and sailer in the Pacific Ocean I appreciate this story as I was always taken by the history and followed the America’s Cup races until I moved inland about 4 years ago, as I no longer can sail the blue Pacific. I still have a love for the ocean and visit it frequently but … that is a story for another day…. 😂
❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Thanks Tara for this TDIH. From the looks of the painting she was beautiful vessel!👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸