Stock images of America's Cup sailors Sir Peter Blake poses for a portrait in San Diego in 1992.The 28th America's Cup was contested between the winner of the 1992 Citizen Cup defender selection series, America³. Brought in at the last minute by Carl McKenzie to manage New Zealand's 1992 America's Cup challenge, Blake led the Kiwi team to the challenger finals with NZL-20. However, Italy emerged from the controversial series with the Louis Vuitton Cup, and went on to face America³ in the America's Cup matchNew Zealand built a short, wide, light Bruce Farr design sporting an unusual double strut keel and no rudder.
The distinctive NZL20 was dubbed a “skiff on steroids”. Skippered by Rod Davis, New Zealand rocketed through to the Louis Vuitton Challenger finals. But, controversy erupted again when their Italian Il Moro di Venezia rivals mounted a campaign against NZL20's bowsprit.
©Bob Grieser/OUTSIDEIMAGES.COM
OUTSIDE IMAGES PHOTO AGENCY