The simplicity of the America’s Cup is a major source of attraction for many people. The concept of the duel, of two boats on the race course fighting for supremacy, one winner, one loser, is hard to beat as a governing idea. But that simplicity is built upon quite a heavy stack of Rules.
The America’s Cup is a complex event, rich in tradition, precedent and history. The Rules that govern the event are outlined in a series of documents. Some of these, like the Deed of Gift, have hardly been changed since they were first written well of 100 years ago. Others, like the Protocol and Terms of Challenge, are specific to the 32nd America’s Cup, but borrow concepts and principals from previous editions of the event.
The ‘Deed of Gift’ is the original document creating the America's Cup, written in 1887. In the years after America won the 100 Guinea Cup in 1851, the ownership syndicate donated the Cup to the New York Yacht Club under a Deed of Gift, which stated that the trophy was to be "a perpetual challenge cup for friendly competition between nations." Thus was born the America's Cup, named after the winning yacht America. The Deed of Gift, with a few subsequent amendments (1956 and 1985), is the basic document governing the event to this day.
The ‘Protocol for the 32nd America's Cup’ was drafted in March 2003 by the winning Yacht Club, the Société Nautique de Genève and the Challenger of Record, the Golden Gate Yacht Club. It outlines the general rules and format of the 32nd America's Cup.
The ‘Terms of Challenge’ document details the rights and obligations of the participants and organisers of the 32nd America's Cup.
The America's Cup Class Rule provides the detailed measurement constraints and tolerances for an America's Cup Class yacht. Version 4 of the Class Rule was in force for the 31st America's and is the rule that was used to measure the boats for 2004. Version 5 of the America's Cup Class Rule came into force for 2005 and onwards. Version 5 of the rule allows more sail area, a lighter boat, but with deeper draft keel, providing the same stability as before. The result is a lighter, faster boat, 'turbo-charged' for 32nd America's Cup.
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