Book Review: The Story of the America's Cup 1851-2000

The America's Cup 2003 is quickly approaching. World-class racing yachts have gathered in Auckland, New Zealand to compete for the world's oldest sporting trophy.

But what teams have the best chance? What country has a history of winning this sailing competition? And how did the America's Cup get started?

For a detailed record of the history of the America's Cup, fans should pick up a copy of "The Story of the America's Cup 1851-2000" by Ranulf Rayner.

The coffee table sized 96-page book gives an in-depth look at the America's Cup from start to present day.

The book begins with a look at some of the most influential men in sailing, including America's Cup legends Dennis Conner, Ted Turner, John Bertrand and Sir Peter Blake.

Next comes "The Ladies," which shows how the design of America's Cup yachts has changed over the years.

Following is the history of some America's Cup courses, including ones in New York, Rhode Island and New Zealand.

In 1992, 12-meter yachts were history and the new International America's Cup Class (IACC) yachts were first raced. There is a description about how these two types of yachts differ and what it takes to crew an IACC yacht.

Not only is the text intriguing, but the book is beautifully illustrated, giving a glimpse into the yachts of the time. The painter, Tim Thompson, captures a scene from each race with painstaking detail.

The meat of the book is a historical account of each America's Cup race starting with the first one in 1851 and ending with the most recent one in 2000.

For each race, the author lists the year in which the event took place, who the defender and the challenger were, the stats of the yachts (which yacht club sponsored them, the size of the yacht, who the captain and owner was, etc.), and a blow-by-blow description of each event and the various yachts involved.

Some monumental moments in America's Cup history that are covered in the book include the first America's Cup competition which took place in London, England in 1851 as part of the World's Fair celebrations. "America," sponsored by the New York Yacht Club, beat the "British Fleet" and won the first America's Cup trophy awarded by the Royal Yacht Squadron.

In 1983, Australia broke America's 132-year reign as winners of the America's Cup. John Bertrand, at the helm of "Australia II," defeated Dennis Conner, who skippered "Liberty," in a surprise win. It was also the year that the "winged keel" was first used--this controversial keel probably helped propel "Australia II" to victory.

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