America³
America3 (pronounced "America Cubed") is the name of both a syndicate that vied for the America's Cup in 1992 and 1995 and its boats.
| America³ | |
|---|---|
| Career | |
| Yacht club |  San Diego Yacht Club |
| Nation |  United States |
| Team principal(s) | America3 Foundation, West Palm Beach, Florida |
| Notable victories | 1992 Citizen Cup 1992 America's Cup |
| Yachts | |
| Sail no. | Boat name |
1992 Cup victory
The program was operated by Bill Koch and Harry "Buddy" Melges in the 1992 America's Cup. After winning the Defender Series, America3 defeated the Italian challenger Il Moro di Venezia to successfully defend the Cup.[1]
The yacht, named America³, was built by Goetz Custom Sailboats Inc. in Rhode Island and the carbon fiber mast package was built by the Offshore Spars Co. in Michigan.
1995 Cup defense
In 1995, Bill Koch revamped the program to begin the first nearly all-female, America's Cup boat. America3's successor, Mighty Mary, was on her way to the 1995 America's Cup, in the lead of the last race of the Defender Series over Stars & Stripes. But with a commanding lead of nearly 5 minutes, Dave Dellenbaugh (the only man on the otherwise all-female crew) committed a crucial tactical error and Stars & Stripes skipper Dennis Conner made a series of moves to beat Mighty Mary to the finish line by scant seconds. After winning the Defender Series, Conner opted to use the boat of the third syndicate that year, Young America, to defend the cup, losing to Team New Zealand, 5-0.