The America’s Cup Hall of Fame represented Bristol at a black-tie dinner at the New York Yacht Club On Friday, Oct. 21, for the purpose of inducting into membership The Earl of Dunraven …
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The America’s Cup Hall of Fame represented Bristol at a black-tie dinner at the New York Yacht Club On Friday, Oct. 21, for the purpose of inducting into membership The Earl of Dunraven and Ernest Bertarelli.
Founded 24 years ago by the Herreshoff Marine Museum, the America’s Cup Hall of Fame honors those individuals of particular merit in accomplishments toward competitions for the Americas Cup. That trophy is the oldest and most prestigious of any for international sport.
The logic of our stewardship of this international activity derives from the fact that nine defenses of the Cup have been raced in yachts built in Bristol. Six times the winner was designed by the late Captain Nathanael Greene Herreshoff and was built by the former Herreshoff Manufacturing Company. There are about 80 members inducted into this Hall of Fame, several of whom have come from Bristol.
The Earl of Dunraven
The Earl of Dunraven was an important Americas Cup challenger in 1893 and 1895, both times sailing his large yachts named VALKYRIE in the Americas Cup matches. A resident of Ireland and an Oxford graduate, Dunraven was a cavalry officer, adventurer, correspondent, big game hunter, racehorse owner, member of Parliament and yachtsman.
He engaged naval architect George L. Watson to design his fast and capable yachts. In each of his two challenges he was beaten by Herreshoff yachts named VIGILANT and DEFENDER. In the penultimate race of the 1893 match, Captain Nat steered VIGILANT in a wild down-wind leg of a stormy day to win by 40 seconds, thereby saving the Cup for the New York Yacht Club. That brilliant race was dubbed “The Race of the Century.”
In 1895, the result was similar, but in that instance DUNRAVEN accused the Americans of unfair actions from which they were exonerated. Lord Dunraven departed in anger, and it was not until the instance of the Hall of Fame dinner that Dunraven’s past was cast in honorable respect in New York. Ten Dunraven descendants flew to New York to accept the award.
Ernesto Bertarelli
Ernesto Bertarelli of Switzerland was a three-time participant in Americas Cup competitions, winning twice. His ALINGHI group was raced fast yachts of tradition, setting forms including a catamaran. Ernesto was much more than challenger and leader because he personally sailed in most practice races and all of the Americas Cup races. He holds the distinction of being the first mainland European winner of the Americas Cup.
Those who observed his competitions off the city of Valencia, Spain, developed great respect for Ernesto Bertarelli’s methods and accomplishments. At the conclusion of the induction ceremony, he expressed touching loyalty to the majesty of Americas Cup competition. He summed up by conveying remarkable thrill and gratitude for his elevation to membership in the Americas Cup Hall of Fame.
Founders and “Selection Committee” members of the Hall of Fame participated at the New York occasion, organized by Herreshoff Marne Museum Executive Director Bill Lynn and staff member Elizabeth Lavers.