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BLOWING IN THE WIND: MY AMERICA’S CUP, THEN AND NOW
One of the world’s greatest sporting events kicked off March 10 in Auckland, New Zealand, the two finalists splitting their first two races. It’s the 36th America’s Cup, a sailing challenge race that goes all the way back to 1851. It has what must be the world’s longest winning streak, a 132-year domination by the United States, specifically the New York Yacht Club, against the combined sailors of the rest of the world. With some advantages, as they were often able to control the racing terms and settings.
The defenders are Team New Zealand (or Emirates Team New Zealand, a fascinating cross-cultural bit of sponsorship naming) sailing on behalf of the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron in a boat named Te Rehutai (which translates, literally from Maori as “sea spray” but according to the Team NZ press release as “where the essence of the ocean invigorates and energizes our strength and determination”). They’re up against Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, the challengers from Italy in a boat called Luna Rossa (“Red Moon”) owned by the boss of Prada, but double-sponsored, and representing Circolo della Vella Sicilia, a yacht club in Mondello, north of Palermo. It’s a 13-race series; the first team to seven wins gets the Cup.
