A HISTORY OF AMERICA CUP YACHT RACING

The 140-year history of the America's Cup, the oldest and most distinguished prize in world sport, is summarized from the author's vantage point of belonging to a family of boat designers and builders who contributed to the total dominance of American yachts from the beginning into the 1980s. Particulars and performance of the most important designs are illustrated. The sensational quarrel in the 1980s over how the design rules should be interpreted, culminating in the bizarre race of 1988, is described. The new International America's Cup Class is evaluated for the 1992 event in San Diego and future races.