Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 M600 LEADERBOARD

America's Cup Hall of Fame to induct Ken McAlpine in 2018

by Herreshoff Marine Museum 21 Mar 2018 05:02 PDT

The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame welcomes Ken McAlpine to the America's Cup Hall of Fame as the sole inductee for the Class of 2018.

The America's Cup Hall of Fame was founded in 1992, as an arm of the Herreshoff Marine Museum by Halsey Herreshoff, a four-time America's Cup defender and grandson of legendary yacht designer Nathanael G. Herreshoff.

Over eighty legends of the Cup have been inducted into the Hall. Candidates eligible for consideration include members of the crew, designers, builders, syndicate leaders, supporters, chroniclers, and other individuals of merit.

Each nominee is judged on the basis of outstanding ability, international recognition, character, performance, and contributions to the sport. The members of the Selection Committee are persons intimate with the history and traditions of America's Cup and committed to the integrity of the Hall of Fame.

Ken McAlpine (Australia) b. 1951

Ken McAlpine has been at the heart of the competition for the America's Cup for over 30 years, witnessing the America's Cup evolve from the 12-Metre Class through the America's Cup Class to the foiling catamarans of the 35th America's Cup Match. During this period, he measured more America's Cup yachts than any other person in the history of the Cup. In this role, he demonstrated an intimate knowledge of the class rules; and, he also assisted in the development of the 12-Metre Class rule and the AC Class rule.

McAlpine's love for the sea developed during his childhood in Sydney, Australia, and so it was natural that he went on to train as a naval architect. His involvement with the America's Cup began in the seventies, and in 1983, on behalf of the Australian Yachting Federation, he was appointed measurer for Australia II and Challenge 12. Following the success of Australia II, McAlpine was appointed a member of the Measurement Committee for the Cup's defense in Fremantle, Australia.

McAlpine has lived in a world of secrecy and discretion: he was often the first to learn about loopholes found by design teams and was often faced with the extraordinary pressure to safeguard the deepest secrets of Cup yacht designs. He has ruled on complex technical matters such as Australia II's winged keel and Team New Zealand's "Hula" hull. Few people realize what it means to deal with the brightest minds in the sport lead by the wealthiest men on earth who, each in their own way, are experts in exerting pressure to have matters swing their way.

"Ken McAlpine is one of the unsung heroes of the America's Cup", said America's Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chair Steve Tsuchiya. "You can't do what Ken did for as long as he did it without being both supremely talented and incredibly diplomatic!"

During his long America's Cup tenure, Ken McAlpine has used his naval architectural and engineering skills, along with tact, patience, and interpersonal skills to deliver a playing field as level as possible within the confines of the sport. His dedication and integrity in performing these tasks had a profound peacekeeping and stabilizing influence in the ever-growing complexity of the technology-driven competition for the America's Cup.

Mr. McAlpine, along with Class of 2017 inductees Syd Fischer, John K. Marshall, and Doug Peterson, will be officially welcomed to the America's Cup Hall of Fame at the 2018 Induction Ceremony, details of which will be announced soon.

Related Articles

America's Cup Hall of Fame announces new inductees
James Spithill, Paul Cayard, and Susan Henn welcomed as Class of 2025 The Herreshoff Marine Museum/America's Cup Hall of Fame welcomes James Spithill, Paul Cayard, and Susan Henn as Class of 2025 inductees of the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Posted on 17 Apr
America's Cup Hall of Fame Challenge in June
This prestigious sailing event will bring together elite teams to compete aboard historic 12m yachts The Herreshoff Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame are proud to announce the 2025 America's Cup Hall of Fame Challenge, set to take place June 21-22, 2025, in Newport, Rhode Island. Posted on 18 Mar
The America's Cup Hall of Fame new inductees
Josh Belsky, Bob Fisher, Kevin Shoebridge and Juan Vila honored Four new inductees joined the America's Cup Hall of Fame in a ceremony held at Barcelona's historic Museu Marítim during the 37th Match for the America's Cup. Posted on 17 Oct 2024
Sir Richard F. Sutton Medal to be awarded
Vincenzo Ricci and Louis Vuitton will be honored this October The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame will award the Sir Richard Francis Sutton Medal to Cino Ricci (b.1934) and Louis Vuitton (founded 1854). Posted on 18 Jul 2024
America's Cup Hall of Fame announces new inductees
Josh Belsky, Bob Fisher, Kevin Shoebridge and Juan Vila to be honored The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame welcomes Josh Belsky, Bob Fisher, Kevin Shoebridge and Juan Vila as Class of 2024 inductees of the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Posted on 16 Apr 2024
Join us for America's Cup Hall of Fame induction
Honoring John "JB" Barnitt, Iain Murray & Hope Goddard Iselin Bill Lynn, President of the Herreshoff Marine Museum and the America's Cup Hall of Fame, and Steve Tsuchiya, America's Cup Hall of Fame Selection Committee Chair, invite you to join them for the 2023 America's Cup Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. Posted on 25 Aug 2023
Join the Herreshoff Classic Yacht Regatta
Or the Newport-to-Bristol Feeder Race this summer Each year, a mix of gorgeous big boats and one-designs gathers for a weekend of exciting racing on scenic courses on the bay and terrific social events. Posted on 8 Jun 2023
Herreshoff Marine Museum unveils new exhibit
The Hodgdon Collection of America's Cup Models - 1851-1937 The Herreshoff Marine Museum is thrilled to announce the opening of its newest exhibit, "Challengers, Defenders, and Contenders: The Hodgdon Collection of America's Cup Models - 1851-1937." Posted on 5 May 2023
Herreshoff Marine Museum receives Singoalla Award
The award is given to an individual or institution who made major contribution to Helsinki Symposium The 10th edition of the Helsinki Classic Yacht Symposium has given the Herreshoff Marine Museum/America's Cup Hall of Fame the first, newly instigated Singoalla Award. Posted on 22 Apr 2023
America's Cup Hall of Fame announces new inductees
The America's Cup Hall of Fame has inducted nearly a hundred individuals since its founding in 1992. The Herreshoff Marine Museum / America's Cup Hall of Fame welcomes John "JB" Barnitt, Iain Murray, and Hope Goddard Iselin as Class of 2023 inductees of the America's Cup Hall of Fame. Posted on 6 Apr 2023
C-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 BOTTOMArmstrong 728x90 - MA Foil Range - BOTTOMMySail 2025