The America's Cup - new book

The America's Cup is probably the most intense of all sailing competitions-the most fiercely contested, the most controversial, and certainly the most prestigious. In 1851, the trophy, then known as the Hundred Guineas Cup, was presented by the Royal Yacht Squadron to the winner of a race around the Isle of Wight: in this case, the America. The cup was then passed to the New York Yacht Club, where it remained until won by the Australians in 1983. The photographs in this book cover the history of the competition, from its first challenge in 1870 to its twenty-ninth in 1995, and will include the latest shots of the defenders' race scheduled for the late summer of 1999. Beyond a mere retrospective, these breathtaking images reveal not only the artistry of the craftsmen and designers who brought these yachts to life but also of the crews who sailed them and, last but not least, that of this legendary family of photographers, the Bekens.

This edition of The America's Cup joins A Hundred Years of Sail and Sailing Thoroughbreds on Harvill's illustrated sailing list.

175 Duotone Photographs Descriptions and measurements of yachts/Digest of match results/Bibliography of America's Cup, Americans can be forgiven if they think the world's greatest sailing race is called the America's Cup--after all, with but two exceptions, the race was won by American ships in the first 29 competitions. The truth is different, however; in 1851 the Royal Yacht Squadron, based in Cowes, sponsored a race around the Isle of Wight. A schooner from the New York Yacht Club, the America, won the race that would become known as the America's Cup.

The America's Cup presents a history of the race as told by photographs of the boats that sailed for the cup--from the America to New Zealand's Black Magic (the 1995 winner). Featuring over 100 classic images from the Beken of Cowes archives and an introductory essay by designer Olin Stephens about the changes in yacht design over the decades, The America's Cup is a treat for salty sea dogs and land lubbers alike. --Sunny Delaney