The America's Cup 1987

25th AMERICA's CUP 1983 Newport, Rhode Island, USA

Fremantle , Australia

For the first time the United States respectively an American yacht club were forced to challenge for the Louis Vouitton Cup. Dennis Conner, the loser of 1983, negotiated with the NYYC about his next race, but changed without result- and also because of the better sponsors - to the San Diego YC on the West Coast He won the LVC winning in a further consequence the AC as well. In Australia four syndicates, announced their interest to defend the AC. In the Defender

Selection Series, they had to identify their official defender. Winner was no more the team of Alan Bond and his Australia IV, but that of the newcomer Kevin Perry with Kookaburra III. But these yacht lost the AC again. A new syndicate from New Zealand , financed by the banker Michael Fay, won all the races of the LVC and lost only the final against D. Conner. Their Kiwi Magic (KZ-7) was the first 12m with a fibreglass hull rather than the conventional aluminium alloy construction. Therefore Conner tried by every means to eliminate KZ-7 before the race from the AC. Although the team had an approval by Lloyd's, the official specification body at that time. With this actions he laid the roots of the violent conflicts around the AC 1988. After the victory of Australia II with its revolutionary winged keel this design became a model for the 12m constructions in 1987. Many winged keels were similar the Australia II. Significant exceptions were the USA 1, the Eagle, Courageous IV and to some extend the French Kiss.

The winged keel of US- 55 with its banner of a main sponsor - quickly mounted for the Press