The oldest international sports trophy is also based on these luxury and know-how partners.
The History of the America’s Cup
A race created at the end of the 19th century, has since become the meeting place for advanced technology and boating.
The America’s Cup was British at first
The America’s Cup took its name after the victory of America, a competition yacht that was the first to win the international sailing trophy in 1851. It is one of the oldest trophies and was firstly a British affair.
In fact, it was on August 20, 1851 that the One Hundred Guinea Cup was run for the first time. Organized by the Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain, the competition consisted of racing around the Isle of Wright.
And there, America won the cup! Leaving Queen Victoria doubtful. The anecdote reported demonstrates the heart of the extraordinary competition. In 1851, when she thought she saw a radical looking boat in the distance coming out of the mist, far, far way in front of the Royal Yacht, Queen Victoria would have asked:
“Are the yachts in sight? / Yes, your Majesty. / Who is in first? / America, your Majesty / And in second? / Your Majesty, there is no second!”
*Here lies the heart of the America’s Cup. This singular pursuit of excellence makes the winner take everything. The cup. And the advantage of naming its competitors at the next ceremony of the trophy.
Hence when America won this cup in 1851, they donated it to the New York Yacht Club in 1857. For a perpetual international competition.
Each watercraft in competition must therefore be designed, built and, as far as possible, equipped only in the country that it is representing. Though the sailing conditions have obviously been largely modified in almost two centuries, one thing remains unchanged — The America’s Cup is clearly the competition that has become the meeting place for advanced technology and nautical sports.
Countries And Records
The defender defends his cup. The challengers attempt to snatch the victory from them. The cup is the silver ewer! For two years, the teams thus compete in preliminary races around the world, to accumulate the maximum amount of points, for the elimination tests against the challengers for the cup.
In our modern era, the countries with the most significant records are: The United States and New Zealand.
As for any competition of this order, skippers run for glory! The skipper (sports team leader) of New Zealand’s 1995 victory was Russell Coutts – who also led New Zealand to a victory in 2000, before betraying the country and giving victory to Switzerland! Coutts, while leading the Swiss team, won a third consecutive victory in 2003.
In 2013, the United States experienced one of the most spectacular comebacks in the history of sports. The American team (led by Jimmy Spithill and operating in a newly designed 72-foot, 22-meter catamaran) followed New Zealand 8-1 out of 17, then won the remaining eight races to the most unexpected victory in the world! America’s Cup!
A highly emotional race that added to the prestige of the large luxury homes.
The America’s Cup and Luxury Homes
The cup is in the image of the partners of the race. The silver ewer – this chiseled silver vase is about 1 m high where the names of all the winners are engraved. It is the same cut that countries have been fighting for since 1851!
Louis Vuitton
“The television rights were sold in 25 countries this year, the events will be broadcasted in 105 nations and it is indeed the third sporting event in the world today.” Bruno Troublé, the creator of the Louis Vuitton Cup, was right.
The enthusiasm for the America’s Cup is such that the competition is for luxury houses a way to go further than their trendy prerogatives. In fact, the Louis Vuitton Cup was, from 1983, during the 25th edition, a partner of choice for the Cup.
By associating his name and his know-how, Louis Vuitton pushed the competition to heights. But in 2007, Louis Vuitton announced his parting.
“Louis Vuitton has decided not to give its name this time to the next Challengers selection test, but will carefully observe the evolution of the tests in the future…” Overruled with management too commercial and not focused enough on experiments and technological innovations, Louis Vuitton broke its association…until 2016.
And the return was sensational! Michael Burke, CEO of the house, reaffirmed his connection to the America’s Cup: “We want to be associated with legendary events, and there is no sport even that is more iconic than the America’s Cup!”
It is true that the meeting between Vuitton and the America’s Cup led this year to a slew of objects crafted with the same precision of those of the American racers.
Kim Jones, the brand new artistic director of men’s fashion at Vuitton, rethough the legendary monogram in the blue-white-red tones of the America’s Cup logo!
Further, he imagined a complete wardrobe – a series of silhouettes echoing nautical, its sophistication and its exigence!
Some of the sailors wore these LV branded outfits. A commitment to luxury to surpass the possibilities that is not at all foreign to the Vuitton house.
Omega, The Official Timekeeper
In 2000 and 2003, the America’s Cup joined forces with Omega – the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games for almost a century already, to meet the requirements of the competition. But the history of Omega and the sea is obviously older.
In 1995, Omega was alongside the legendary sailor, Sir Peter Blake, for Emirates Team New Zealand. 25 years later, Omega satisfied their shared passion for innovation, technology, speed, and precision. They returned alongside the 2012 Challenger – Emirates Team New Zealand.
Raynald Aeschlimann, the Chief Executive Officer of Omega, said, “The America’s Cup has a very special place within the OMEGA brand. From ingenuity and precision, to competitive energy and history, every part of it appeals to our mind. We are very excited about our role next March and also the chance to be with Emirates Team New Zealand again.”
Defender Emirates Team New Zealand CEO Grant Dalton said, “We have been working with Omega for many years and truly live up to their high standards of excellence. We know they will bring a lot of experience to the event.
Our goal is to have the best people for each part of the 36th America’s Cup presented by Prada. The choice of Omega was obvious. They not only have a distinguished history as the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, but they have also established themselves as the leader in timekeeping on the water. “
2021 will mark the third time in history that the watchmaker has timed this prestigious sailing race!
The opportunity to introduce a new OMEGA Seamaster Planet Ocean 36th America’s Cup Limited Edition. Presented on a structured rubber strap, the 43.50 mm watch is made of stainless steel. Limited to 2,021 pieces.
This time, the 36th race, is under the sponsorship of Prada.
Prada in 2021
For its 36th edition, the America’s Cup, the oldest trophy in international sport, welcomed partner Prada – for the elimination round of challengers from the 36th edition of the America’s Cup!
The series will be held in Auckland, New Zealand, in January and February 2021. For the occasion, the house has created the Prada Cup trophy. The magnificent silver trophy of the Prada Cup was created by Marc Newson.
“This is one of the most dynamic events in the world, and my first thoughts on the trophy were to create an object that was not static, that had a sense of movement, and that reflected technology. They are no longer really boats – they are sort of flying objects. I thought to myself wow, wouldn’t it be interesting to think of a trophy that flies in the same way as these vessels.”
Obviously, it benefits from Prada know-how, since it was handcrafted to the specifications of Florentine goldsmiths… nested in a luxurious leather chest designed and handcrafted by Prada workshops.
It must be said that Miuccia Prada’s husband and partner, Patrizio Bertelli, has long participated in the competition. With the Luna Rossa, a high-tech catamaran, he engages the Italian house in the prestigious regatta for the fourth time this year!
Something to keep us waiting patiently for the launch of the 36th edition, normally scheduled for the austral summer, in 2021…why not put on Tod’s Competition.