First Rogue Challenger America's Cup

The giant 135-foot sloop NEW ZEALAND (KZ-1) has yacht racing's historical distinction of being the first rogue challenger in America's Cup history. The winged-hull mega yacht raced and lost to Dennis Conner's 60-foot STARS & STRIPES wing-sail catamaran in a best-fo-three match in the 1988 America's Cup off San Diego. NEW ZEALAND, a.k.a. "The Big Boat", also is the largest monohull to race in an America's Cup. The "Big Boat" is larger than the J-Class yachts which raced in the America's Cup for several years during the 1930s. Constructed of lightweight carbon fiber nomex, NEW ZEALAND measures 90 feet at waterline, has an extreme beam of 26 feet, a draft of 21 feet, and carried a crew of 40 sailors. Her rig, which reflects the J-Class era, towers more than 160 feet. She has an upwind sail area of 63,000 square feet, and her downwind sail area was 15,000 square feet. NEW ZEALAND weighs 60,000 pounds. One of the most beautiful yachts to race in an America's Cup, she is currently on display at the National Maritime Museum, Auckland, New Zealand.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• 1988
• america's
• cup
• challenger
• new
• zealand
• kz-1
• san
• diego
• yacht
• racing
• bob
• covarrubias
• photography

[accessarry]

alinghi barred Russel Coutts entry to the meeting , so Ellison refused to participate . Ellison challenged alinghi's protocol in court and won 11 out of 11 times . alinghi tried to cheat their way into ownership of the auld mug and thanks to Ellison they were denied . Say what you want about the man , but it is indisputable , to me , that he did sailing a great favor .

[karma22nz]

Alinghi could have built a wing themselves but Bertarelli is an arrogant tool and thought his boat was fast enough without one. He deserves to lose and be embarassed for trying to make it impossible for him to lose by hiring the umpires etc. I despise Alinghi.

[DMC3723Evergreatest]

This race was bullshit, monohull vs catamaran? Its like a bicycle vs a motorcycle... America's Cup had always been monohulls before this. The rules didn't prohibit it but i wish Stars and Stripes had a little more class and respect, biggest loophole/cheat in Cup history

[pukka43]

it shows how great the kiwis can build sailing boats

[bubbalover71]

@hcavsailor That boat had no chance against the old multihull defender

[hcavsailor]

this boat would have no chance against the current multihull defender

[TrueNorth4]

This race destroyed the America's Cup for good. 

[TheReycoco]

Good news !! in the next americas cup all competitors will be in including china team, hallelujah! at last like the old times!, too bad it wil be in 2014 :(

[00Billy]

if I remember correctly, 10 people of the crew were solely for self propelled human ballast

[emme114]

@philly1121 true, not only had the challenger yacht club never sailed a regatta, it only existed on paper having been created by alinghi for the sole purpose of being the challenger

[thakrak]

Old days of Russel Coutts and TNZ Black Magic... Sir Peter Blake and his red socks all along as well. Yeah!

[DdAaNnKkOodanko]

i think this is a really cool looking boat