A Very Short History of the America's Cup

Part V

International America's Cup Class (IACC)

And the

Golden Gate Challenge

Once the rancor settled over the 1987 event involving the Stars and Stripes catamaran and the gigantic New Zealand boat, it was revealed to the world that a new design was to be used to compete for the America's Cup. That design was the International America's Cup Class (IACC). Planning to use IACC boats in the Cup race had been in place well before the last race using 12-meters in 1987. Even though the general public, as well as the sailing community, loved the 12-meters, it was evident that a better performing design was needed.

IACC boats are a little larger than 12-meters but still not mammoth. They can be 80 feet long compared to the 12’s 70 to 75 feet.The era of the IACC yachts, 1992 to 2007, was bitter sweet for the world's yacht racing community.The United States (bitter) could not hold on to the Cup because New Zealand and Switzerland expended large amounts of effort and resources dedicated to capturing the Trophy (sweet). Out of the five Cup events using the IACC design, the United States defended the Cup successfully only in 1992. New Zealand and Switzerland took turns winning the next four Cup events through 2007.

Model of the IACC, Alinghi, 32^nd Cup

Chinese team on French IACC boat.

Alinghi at a Louis Vuitton event.

Prada, the Italian entry in 2000. She lost to New Zealand, but it is rumored she had the best dressed crew on the water.

Part of the International America’s Cup Class plan.

Oracle (in black) and Alinghi (white hull) 33^rd Cup version