America's Cup: 175th Birthday Celebration - Auckland - this Saturday
by Maria Ryan-Young 19 Aug 09:19 NZST
Emirates Team NZ - America's Cup - Day 6 - March 16, 2021, Course C © Richard Gladwell / Sail-World.com
One hundred and seventy-five years ago, on 22 August 1851, a single yacht race in the Solent changed sailing forever.
On that day, the Royal Yacht Squadron staged its Grand Regatta at Cowes, inviting entries from yacht clubs of all nations. Against all expectations, the schooner America defeated the entire British fleet on its home waters. The famous silver "100 Guinea Cup" would forever take the name of that first winning yacht.
Since the New Zealand Challenge first entered the Cup in Perth in 1987, New Zealand has built an unrivalled reputation in the event, lifting the Auld Mug five times: in 1995, 2000, 2017, 2021 and 2024. Every Cup campaign creates its own stories. But over nearly four decades, New Zealand's campaigns have also created something far more enduring: a community.
On Saturday 22 August 2026, the 175th anniversary of the race that gave us the Auld Mug, join us at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron for an evening celebrating the people behind our Cup story.
Whether you were on the water, in the boat shed, behind the camera, in the chase boats, supporting a syndicate, working with sponsors or the media, volunteering behind the scenes, or helping in countless other ways, this independently organised gathering is an opportunity to reconnect with old friends, reminisce, share a few stories, and raise a glass to the friendships and shared experiences that have grown around the Cup.
Join us from 5.30pm-8.00pm in the Quarterdeck (upstairs at the RNZYS) for drinks, canapés, familiar faces and stories. Peter Montgomery has kindly agreed to say a few words.
Your ticket includes canapés and your first drink. A cash bar and the Sailors' Menu will be available throughout the evening for those wishing to purchase additional refreshments.
Tickets are $40 per person and include canapés and your first drink. You can book here via Humanitix
If you know others who were involved in any Cup campaigns, please forward this invitation to them.