The America's Cup - Introduction to the 32nd edition

It's all about beating the other boat

An America's Cup race is a duel. The simplicity of the concept, the complexity of the execution, and the challenge of the competition, makes America's Cup racing a singular pursuit. America's Cup match racing is sport of the highest magnitude. It is a punishing competition where only the winner is rewarded. All yacht racing is about winning; all match racing is about beating just one other boat. As Queen Victoria was told in 1851 when the schooner America glided across the finishing line, "Your Majesty, There is no second".

Oldest trophy in international sport
As the oldest trophy in international sport the America's Cup boasts a rich heritage. To put the long history of this event in context, consider that when the first Games of the modern Olympics were held in Athens in 1896, it had already been 45 years since the yacht America defeated the British in 1851. The history of the America's Cup is the story of a pursuit of excellence that continues to this day.

Masters and dreamers
Throughout its history, the challenge of the America's Cup has attracted entrepreneurs, merchants, engineers, media moguls, aristocrats and financiers. Often the big characters of the Cup have been masters of their society, representing the leading industries of their age. Equally, the Cup has been captured by dreamers; those with the vision and the drive to inspire their teams to overcome every obstacle.

The "Blazing Cup"

About the 32nd edition
The 32nd America's Cup continues the evolution of this grand event by adding new elements to a long history of tradition. For the first time in 152 years, the America's Cup is in Europe. Throughout its long history, the contest for the America's Cup has only ever been held in the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Four-year programme
Among many other things, there is now an ambitious four-year programme of regattas commencing in 2004, each one a distinct Act in the drama of the 32nd America's Cup, there has been an original bid process to identify Valencia, Spain as the best possible host city, and there are a series of interesting changes to the race format, and the America's Cup Class Rule; in short, changes governed by an overriding vision of bringing the America's Cup closer to the people.