The Story of the America's Cup 1851-2024

The story of the world’s most prestigious yacht race, beautifully illustrated with original paintings and fully updated to include the most recent contest.

The America’s Cup has been the world’s most prestigious yacht race for over 170 years. This beautifully illustrated and fully updated new edition tells the story of the cup from its inception through to the most recent race, held in 2024.

Named in 1851 in honor of the first winner (New York pilot, ‘America’), the Cup was dominated by American yachts for well over a century. At last, in 1983, Australia II wrestled the trophy away from the USA, albeit briefly. At Barcelona in 2024, the Cup produced one of the best contests yet, with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron winning the race for a fifth time, and a British yacht, Britannia, competing in the finals for the first time in 60 years.

With a painting of each race since 1851, by marine artist Tim Thompson, and detailed descriptions of the boats involved, The Story of the America’s Cup 1851-2024 is an elegant, insightful celebration of a storied contest.

A former cavalry officer, inveterate traveler and eternally keen yachtsman, Ranulf Rayner spends much of his time sailing or carrying out historical research. He lives in the beautiful Ashcombe Valley, South Devon, UK. The fine paintings in the book are by Tim Thompson, a leading marine artist. Tim spent much of his childhood on the tiny island of Herm in the Channel Islands where, intrigued by the changing moods of the sea, he taught himself to paint. Now based in Cornwall, he has held several successful exhibitions.