Description
The story of the America’s Cup and how it came to be, has been a rich source of interpretation over its 173-year history. It’s most famous phrase – “There is no second” – sums up a unique sporting event with idiosyncratic rules defined by an ancient document, the Original Deed of Gift of 1857, but has never been attributed and was thought to be ‘apocryphal.’
After extensive research going back to source documents, articles and Royal, Naval and National archives, the name of the ‘signal master’ who may well have uttered the famous line to Her Majesty Queen Victoria onboard the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert in 1851 is revealed alongside a deep analysis of the circumstances and political climate that resulted in a simple trial of speed around the Isle of Wight between the Old and New World becoming the most famous, and coveted yacht race in the world.
First time author Magnus Wheatley has spent decades reporting on the America’s Cup for a variety of global newspapers, international magazines and websites, and currently works inside the ropes for the Louis Vuitton 37th America’s Cup in Barcelona. Covering the period from the trophy’s acquisition in 1848 by the Marquess of Anglesey through the famous race of August 22nd 1851 itself and on to the trophy’s gifting to the New York Yacht Club and its first defence in 1870, ‘There is no Second’ is a detailed account of how ‘America’s Cup’ came into being and essential reading for all ‘students of the Cup’ seeking to understand its genesis as the pinnacle of international yacht racing.
