A Bit of History

A Bit of History

The International Twelve Meter Class Sloop

Was developed in Europe in 1906 to answer the need for a yacht racing class that would offer exciting, competitive racing, while providing a long-lasting and safe cruising boat. After World War II, the Twelve Meter Class was selected for the first America's Cup racing held in20 years. The contests for yachting's most coveted prize were held off Newport from 1958 through 1983.

All of the boats you will be racing on in September competed for the America's Cup during this period. Some won it.

American Eagle

This sleek yacht was designed and built by A.E. Luders for the America's Cup Defense in 1964. Although she was not in the defense of the cup that year, she is most famous for extraordinary history as an ocean racer under the command of Ted Turner. From 1969 to 1974, the brilliant red Eagle ruled the waters winning the first World Ocean Racing Championship and setting records in the distinguished S.O.R.C., Fastnet and Sydney-Hobart Races. Ted Turner won the coveted "Yachtsman of the Year" award twice while owner/skipper of American Eagle. Eagle ruled the waters, winning the first World Ocean Racing Championship, among many others. Ted Turner won "Yachtsman of the Year" accolades twice while he was the owner/skipper of American Eagle.

Intrepid

Twice winner of the America's Cup, the incomparable 12 Meter Intrepid is close to the hearts of sailors, and one of the most famous racing yachts of all time. As the first Twelve Meter to separate the rudder from the keel, include a "bustle" or "kicker," and add a trim tab, she marked a tremendous breakthrough in Twelve Meter design. Her designer, the legendary Olin Stephens, had her built of double planked mahogany on white oak frames; her underbody type, with relatively minor refinements, was used on every subsequent Cup boat until the 12 Meter Australia II's winged keel of 1983. In 1967 while ably skippered by "Bus" Mosbacher, she completely crushed all competition including the unfortunate Australian challenger Dame Pattie.

Nefertiti

Nefertiti, named for an Egyptian Queen, was designed and skippered by the multi-talented Ted Hood for the Boston Yacht Club in 1962. That year, Nefertiti came very close to defending the America's Cup. She won the early Defender trials, but lost out to Weatherly in the lighter breezes of August. As it turned out, Weatherly went on to win the America's Cup that year. Following her Cup challenge, Nefertiti was converted for cruising and left Newport to traverse the globe. She crossed the Atlantic to the Mediterranean and chartered out of Greece for several years. By 1983 she was back in Newport as a spectator, where she viewed the last America's Cup series held here.

Weatherly

The swift and graceful America's Cup Defender Weatherly is the only vessel in history to win the Cup without doing so when new. Built in 1958, the legendary Emil "Bus" Mosbacher brought her back in '62 to defeat Gretel, the first Australian America's Cup Challenger. She was a favorite of President and Mrs. Kennedy, who closely followed the 1962 12 Meter racing season from their summer home at Hammersmith Farm in Newport.