1958 America's Cup


The 1958 America's Cup marked the first Cup match sailed in 12-metre class yachts. Twenty years had passed since the last Cup match, held between immense Universal Rule J-class yachts in 1937 besides World War II, and the New York Yacht Club sought a more affordable alternative to restart interest in the Cup. In 1956 Henry Sears led an effort advancing class yachts. The Royal Yacht Squadron of Great Britain agreed to challenge with a new 12-metre, Sceptre. The New York Yacht Club defended with theirs, Columbia, winning the Cup in a four-race sweep.

Defender Series

Four yachts competed in a summer long regatta to determine which the NYYC would name as defender, Columbia, a new Olin Stephens boat, Weatherly, Easterner, and the Olin Stephens designed Vim from 1939. Columbia was chosen after a very close set of races resulted in only beating the 19-year-old Vim by 12 seconds in the final competition.

The Races

DateCourseWinnerLoserWinning
Time
DeltaScoreWinner's Velocity
on Course
September 20, 1958, windward leewardColumbiaSceptre5:13:567:451-04.59
September 24, 1958, triangularColumbiaSceptre3:17:4211:422-07.28
September 25, 195824 nmi, windward leewardColumbiaSceptre3:09:078:203-07.61
September 26, 195824 nmi, triangularColumbiaSceptre3:04:227:054-07.81

America's Cup Competitions