The British had hoped to have an edge by sailing 12-meter sailboats, which were raced actively in Britain, but not in the U.S.

However, designer Olin Stephens was no stranger to the class, having designed what was arguably the fastest 12-meter in the world, Vim. His Columbia proved even faster in the summer trials, and in four races never trailed Hugh Goodson’s Sceptre.

Australian media magnate Sir Frank Packer was the first challenger from south of the equator. His sailboat Gretel, designed by Alan Payne, is generally regarded the faster sailboat, but managed only a single victory, the second race of the best-of-seven series.

Weatherly, designed by Philip Rhodes, won on clever tactics by skipper Emil "Bus" Mosbacher and crew. But this was just the beginning of the flurry of fierce challenges from "Down Under" that ultimately unseated the Cup from its pedestal in the NYYC.

The British were back in 1964, but the David Boyd-designed Sovereign was completely out-classed by Constellation, which was designed by Olin Stephens and skippered by Bob Bavier.

The closest Sovereign came was in the first race, losing by five and half minutes.

Considered by many to be the greatest 12-meter ever built, the Olin Stephens-designed Intrepid took on Australia’s Dame Pattie.

With the exception of a brief moment in the second race, however, the determined crew from the Royal Sydney Yacht Squadron could only watch Intrepid’s stern as Bus Mosbacher sailed her to his second successful Cup defense.