Remembering the America’s Cup
When my wife and I recently visited Newport, Rhode Island recently, I was reminded of how it once was the center of the sailing universe. Newport was home to the America’s Cup which was the Super Bowl of yacht racing from 1930-1983. The America’s Cup competition was held every three years and the American team won the title until the American team was upset by Australia II in the final. The America's Cup is a sailing competition and the oldest international competition still operating in any sport. America's Cup match races are held between two sailing yachts: one from the yacht club that currently holds the trophy (known as the defender) and the other from the yacht club that is challenging for the cup (the challenger). The winner is awarded the America's Cup trophy, informally known as the Auld Mug. Matches are held several years apart on dates agreed between the defender and the challenger. There is no fixed schedule, but the races have generally been held every three ...
