2021 America’s Cup

On 17 March 2021, Emirates Team New Zealand entered the history books with their successful defence of the prestigious America’s Cup, winning it for a fourth time. On the seventh day of the 36th America’s Cup, the team took out the Auld Mug with a spectacular performance that saw them pull out over 500 metres ahead of Luna Rossa Prada Perelli. By the final gate, the Kiwis took the righthand mark 49 seconds ahead of the Italians as they headed off on the last leg of what would become the exhilarating final race.

The America’s Cup, affectionately known as the Auld Mug, is the oldest active trophy in international sport. First contested in 1851, it predates the modern Olympics by 45 years.

The competition for this prestigious cup began when a schooner named America won a race around the Isle of Wight against a fleet of Britain’s finest boats. In 1857 the owners of America donated the cup to the New York Yacht Club. The cup was to become a ‘challenge trophy’ for friendly competition between foreign countries. And so began America’s 132-year winning streak and domination of the sport.

The America’s Cup is notoriously difficult to win. Since the first race more than 150 years ago, only four nations have been able to join the extremely exclusive winners’ circle, New Zealand being one of them. America successfully defended the cup 24 times, until in 1983 when they met their match and failed to beat Australia. The longest winning streak in history was finally broken.

New Zealand’s turn for victory came in 1995. Team New Zealand sailed to glory in their superior craft and the America’s Cup was welcomed with open arms back to the Southern Hemisphere. This was short-lived, and despite having their successful defending the cup in 2000, New Zealand farewelled the cup in 2003. After regaining the cup in 2017, Emirates Team New Zealand and Te Rehutai once again defended the cup for New Zealand after 10 races in Auckland. A commemorative stamp sheet was issued on the same day to celebrate the win.