37th America’s Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand Wins Historic Third Consecutive Title
On October 19th, a frenzied flock of sailing fans crowded along Barcelona’s Port Vell to watch as the Louis Vuitton Cup champions, INEOS Britannia, challenged the Emirates Team New Zealand for the 37th America’s Cup title.
Laced with suspense, the showdown was guaranteed to make history. Emirates New Zealand, poised to become the first singular team to clench America’s Cup thrice in a row, was an early favourite. Yet Britain’s team was a formidable opponent, building hype in the qualifiers as they bested choppy conditions and cruised to victory. Had they managed to snatch the America’s Cup title, INEOS Britannia would’ve been the first British team to do so.
37th America’s Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand Wins Historic Third Consecutive Title
37th America’s Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand Wins Historic Third Consecutive Title
37th America’s Cup: Emirates Team New Zealand Wins Historic Third Consecutive Title
While Emirates Team New Zealand established an early lead, INEOS Britannia managed to catch up by the end of the second leg, keeping spectators on their toes for the full contest. Propelled by the pressure, New Zealand pulled ahead, finishing — coincidentally — 37 seconds ahead of the British boat.
Reprising its role as Title Partner of America’s Cup, Louis Vuitton released a dedicated sailing capsule collection earlier this year. Chairmen and CEOs Bernard Arnault and Pietro Beccari (of LVMH and Louis Vuitton, respectively), offered congratulations to both teams.
“As both the defender and organizer of the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup — and now also the only one to win three times in a row with the same team — you have demonstrated exceptional skill on and off the water, setting a high bar for future editions,” said Beccari, awarding the immaculate Auld Mug to Emirates Team New Zealand.
Beccari also expressed his “sincere admiration” for INEOS Britannia. “We are proud to have presented you with the Louis Vuitton Cup and its trophy trunk, a symbol of your remarkable achievement,” added the chairman.
America’s Cup is a storied competition, predating the modern Olympics by 45 years. In all its 173 years, however, only four nations have claimed victory: the United States, Australia, Switzerland, and New Zealand. “The America’s Cup has got to be one of the hardest sporting trophies in the world to win,” said Peter Burling of Emirates Team New Zealand. “You’ve got to have so many parts come together to make it all work and now having done that three times in a row, it’s incredibly special.”
Celebrating atop the main stage at Race Village, the New Zealand winners got an up-close glance of the Auld Mug. Housed in the iconic Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunk — sporting a classic Monogram canvas, with a striped ‘V’ victory painted in blue and red — the Auld Mug is a stunning symbol of the heritage-steeped competition.
It feels appropriate for Louis Vuitton to partner with America’s Cup. Both entities uphold a legacy of excellence while continuing to emphasize innovation. With its historic high stakes and ever-mounting tension, the 37th America’s Cup reminds us that success is never guaranteed — and no one can be counted out.
