2019 AMERICA'S CUP HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

There are many aspects of the America’s Cup that set it apart from other longstanding international sporting competitions. Aside from the impressive yacht racing prowess of the event’s world class competitors, excellence in technology, design and construction, along with breathtaking performance, are also factors synonymous with the Cup.

Just as closely linked however are the many landmark figures who over the past 35 editions have stamped their own individual mark on the America’s Cup’s illustrious legacy. The need to recognise and celebrate the contributions of such characters lead to the formation in 1992 of the America’s Cup Hall of Fame (ACHOF) by renowned American yachtsman Halsey Herreshoff, a four-time America's Cup defender and grandson of legendary yacht designer Nathanael Herreshoff.  

Based at the Herreshoff Marine Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island the ACHOF has approaching 100 inductees chosen by an esteemed selection panel from America’s Cup crew, designers, builders, syndicate leaders, supporters, chroniclers, as well as other individuals considered worthy of the honour.

The ACHOF 2019 induction held in Germany on November 16 saw three new America’s Cup Hall of Famers – Henry Racamier (FRA), William H. Dyer Jones (USA), and Bill Trenkle (USA – join the likes of Sir Thomas Lipton, Charlie Barr, Ted Turner, John Bertrand, Dennis Conner, T.O.M. Sopwith, Sir Peter Blake, Patrizio Bertelli, Sir Russell Coutts and Murray Jones, on that prestigious list.

An audience of 150 people attended the glamorous ceremony at the Robbe & Berking Yachting Heritage Centre in Flensburg, the site of an impressive eight-month exhibition on the history of the America’s Cup is being held with the support of Prada, the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron, the Herreshoff Museum, and Mumm Champagne.

Henry Racamier (1912-2003) The French businessman was Chairman of Louis Vuitton when he became part of America’s Cup history in 1982 by agreeing to sponsor the Challenger Selection Series for the 25th America’s Cup in Newport, Rhode Island, beginning a long and successful association between the luxury brand and the event.

William H. Dyer Jones (b.1946) Dyer Jones' contribution to the America's Cup stretched from 1967, during the 12 Metre era in Newport, through to the last appearance of the America's Cup Class in Valencia in 2007. During that time, he played a pivotal role at several important turning points in the history of the America's Cup, including serving on Auxiliary Committees of the New York Yacht Club’s America’s Cup Race Committee. 

Bill Trenkle (b. 1958) Trenkle was involved in eight America’s Cup campaigns with the legendary Dennis Connor over 25 years including winning the Cup on three occasions. An excellent sail trimmer praised by Conner in his book Comeback his degree in marine engineering made him an essential part of the many campaigns.

Many famous America’s Cup names were in attendance, including Grant Simmer, Ken McAlpine, Rolf Vrolijk, Tom Schnackenberg, Tom Whidden, Bruno Trouble and Laurent Esquier, along with around a dozen current12 Metre yacht owners.

A replica of the America’s Cup was kindly supplied for the event by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron.

For more on the three inductees click here.